The Bears have a short week to get ready for the best team in the NFC.
They held a walk-through on Wednesday, less than 48 hours removed from their loss to the Vikings on “Monday Night Football.” The Bears will have a walk-through on Thursday, too.
Head coach Thomas Brown laid out a formula to avoid another first-half shutout. The Bears haven’t scored in the first half in the last three games, including against the same Lions on Thanksgiving.
“Don’t commit penalties and get open vs man to man,” Brown said Wednesday. “That’ll solve the problem.”
The Bears injury report included three offensive linemen that wouldn’t have practiced had they held a full practice Wednesday: Braxton Jones (concussion), Teven Jenkins (calf) and Ryan Bates (concussion). Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter (knee) remains out, too.
It’s the first of two unusual weeks’ worth of preparation for the Bears. After hosting the Lions at Soldier Field on Sunday, they’ll host the Seahawks on Thursday, Dec. 26.
The Lions are coming off a 48-42 home loss to the Bills last week, just their second defeat of the season. They lost running back David Montgomery, a former Bears player, to a season-ending knee injury during that game.
The Lions lead the NFC and would receive a first-round bye in the playoffs were the season to end today. The Vikings, though, control their own destiny — if they win out, they’ll win the NFC North. The Lions and Vikings are two of three NFC teams to have clinched a playoff berth.
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