Four days after their lopsided 41-21 loss to the Redskins, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday's season finale against the Vikings in Minnesota.
The Bears (3-12) will look to avoid finishing the season with their worst record since the NFL expanded to 16 games in 1978 and their second worst mark in franchise history (1-13 in 1969). The Bears have lost six of seven games since their bye week in early November.
Bears running back Jordan Howard has rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns this season.
The Vikings (7-8) have dropped eight of 10 games since heading into their bye week with a 5-0 record. Quarterback Sam Bradford has completed 71.3 percent of his passes for 3,627 yards with 17 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 98.3 passer rating. He has thrown one fewer interception all season than Bears quarterback Matt Barkley had last Saturday against the Redskins.
Bradford's favorite targets are receivers Stefon Diggs (84 receptions for 903 yards and 3 touchdowns) and Adam Thielen (68-960-5) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (72-723-6).
The Bears trail the all-time series with the Vikings 57-52-1. The Bears won the last meeting 20-10 on Halloween night at Soldier Field. The defense recorded five sacks and allowed Minnesota to convert only 2-of-13 third-down opportunities, while Jordan Howard rushed for a career-high 153 yards and one TD on 26 carries and caught four passes for 49 yards.
Entering Week 17, the Bears rank 13th in the NFL in offense (19th rushing and 13th passing) and 12th in defense (27th against the run and 6th versus the pass). The Vikings rank 30th in offense (32nd rushing and 18th passing) and 2nd in defense (16th versus the run and 4th versus the pass).
ChicagoBears.com will provide all the latest news throughout the week from Halas Hall. Coach John Fox will address the media Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and special-teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers will be available Wednesday, while offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will speak Thursday.