Three days after their impressive 26-6 win over the 49ers, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday's road game against the Lions.
The Bears (3-9) will attempt to win back-to-back games for the first time since November 2015, record their first road victory this season and sweep the Lions for the first time since 2012.
Running back Jordan Howard rushed for 111 yards on 23 carries the last time he faced the Lions in Week 4.
Detroit (8-4) has won five straight games, is 7-1 since losing to the Bears Oct. 2 at Soldier Field and has a two-game lead over the Packers (6-6) and Vikings (6-6) atop the NFC North.
The Lions are led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has passed for 2,883 yards with 19 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 99.3 passer rating. Since throwing two interceptions against the Bears in Week 4, Stafford has tossed 14 TD passes and just one interception in eight games.
The Bears lead the all-time series with the Lions 97-71-5. Before their 17-14 win in October, they had lost six straight games to Detroit for the first time since 1968-70. The season series has been swept 11 of the past 12 years with the Bears winning both games in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 and the Lions capturing both meetings in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In the Week 4 meeting, Brian Hoyer passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns, Jordan Howard rushed for 111 yards on 23 carries in his first NFL start and Eddie Royal caught seven passes for 111 yards and one TD. The Bears defense did not allow a touchdown—the Lions scored on a punt return late in the game—and allowed only 66 yards rushing.
Entering Week 14, the Bears rank 16th in the NFL in offense (19th in rushing and 17th passing) and 7th in defense (18th against the run and 6th versus the pass). The Lions rank 21st in offense (29th rushing and 15th passing) and tied for 15th in defense (13th versus the run and 20th 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.
