Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
The Bears are a win over the Cleveland Browns away from sweeping the AFC North this season. When was the last time they went 4-0 against AFC opponents?
Fred J.
Hobart, Indiana
Interestingly, the last time that occurred is when the Bears last played the AFC North in 2013. In Marc Trestman's first season as coach, they beat the Bengals 24-21 and Ravens 23-20 in overtime at home and the Steelers 40-23 and Browns 38-31 on the road. This year the Bears have defeated the Steelers 23-17 in overtime at home and the Ravens 27-24 in overtime and Bengals 33-7 on the road. They'll go for the sweep Dec. 24 when they host the Browns at Soldier Field. Since 2013, the Bears are 7-0 against the AFC North and 19-51 versus all other opponents. No Bears player has had more success against the AFC North this season than running back Jordan Howard, whose top three rushing performances of the year have been against the Ravens (167 yards), Bengals (147 yards) and Steelers (140).
It's hard to believe that Jordan Howard is the only Bears player who has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons. Who came the closest before Howard?
Phil K.
Bloomington, Illinois
Last season Jordan Howard became the fifth Bears running back to rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie. Of the other four, Matt Forte gained the most yards in his second season with 929 in 2009. Anthony Thomas is next with 721 in 2002, followed by Rashaan Salaam with 496 in 1996 and Beattie Feathers with 281 in 1935. Howard set the Bears rookie rushing record with 1,313 yards last season and has 1,032 this year with three games remaining.
Who was the last Bears player to catch at least 10 passes for 100 yards like Kendall Wright did Sunday against the Bengals?
John G.
Lansing, Illinois
The last time that occurred was on Nov. 9, 2015 in San Diego when Alshon Jeffery caught 10 passes for 151 yards in a win over the Chargers. It was actually the second straight game that Jeffery accomplished that feat; he had 10 receptions for 116 yards a week earlier in a loss to the Vikings. With 10 catches for 107 yards in Sunday's victory in Cincinnati, Kendall Wright recorded the fifth 100-yard performance of his career and first with the Bears.
