Three days after their deflating overtime loss to the 49ers, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday's home game against the Redskins.
The Bears (5-7) have won three straight and four of their last five road games but have struggled at home, compiling a 1-5 record. Four of the losses have come to teams that own at least a share of first place in the Packers (8-4), Cardinals (10-2), Vikings (8-4) and Broncos (10-2).
Running back Kyle Long has rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in two games against Washington.
Eight of the Bears' last nine games have been decided by six points or less with four wins coming by a total of 10 points and four losses coming by a combined 14 points.
The Redskins (5-7) have the same record as the Bears, but Washington is tied for first place in the woeful NFC East with the Giants and Eagles. Like the 49ers a week earlier, the Redskins will arrive at Soldier Field Sunday with an 0-5 record on the road this season. After San Francisco's win in Chicago, Washington is the NFL's only winless team away from home.
The Redskins have alternated wins and losses in their last seven games and are coming off a 19-16 defeat to the Cowboys Monday night at FedEx Field.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has completed 29 of 48 passes for 309 yards with one touchdown, five interceptions and a 46.6 passer rating in two career starts against Washington. In two contests, Matt Forte has rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.
The Bears trail the all-time series with the Redskins 24-23-1 and have lost five straight, which is tied for their longest active skid against any NFL opponent. (They've also dropped five in a row to the Lions.) Chicago lost the last meeting 45-41 on Oct. 20, 2013 in Washington.
After Cutler exited with a groin injury, Josh McCown passed for 204 yards and one touchdown. But the Bears defense allowed the Redskins to score TDs on four of their final six possessions. Forte rushed for 91 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. But the Bears permitted TD drives of 80, 74, 83, 80 and 80 yards.
Entering Week 14, the Bears rank 19th in offense (tied for 11th rushing and 20th passing) and rank 12th in defense (29th against the run and 2nd versus the pass). The Redskins rank 25th in offense (26th rushing and 17th passing) and 21st in defense (25th against the run and 10th 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 Cutler and offensive coordinator Adam Gase will speak Thursday.
