LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)
The Chicago Bears offensive players say they do not feel any
extra pressure going into Sunday's game.
With a defense ranked last in the league against the run and a
road game against the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson, the
Bears' offense is trying to help the team get a win in a key
division game.
''When you're part of a team, everybody is pulling their weight
and doing what they can do to get their job done,'' quarterback
Josh McCown said.
''And when one side maybe doesn't perform as well as they'd like
to, it's not the mark of a good team or a great team to look at
that (struggling) side (of the ball) and say, `well, that's
why.'''
The Bears' defense has allowed 145.2 yards rushing per game,
worst in the league.
So it only seems to make sense for an improved offense to think
about stepping up its own production to compensate.
''As an offense you've just got to focus on doing your job and
what you're supposed to do,'' McCown said. ''You can't get worried
about anybody else because it's hard enough to take care of what we
need to do offensively, and so we just focus on ourselves.''
It's been a role reversal for the Bears, who are fourth in
scoring (27.5 points per game) and eighth in total offense (372.5
yards per game).
Those are lofty rankings for an offense that has struggled in
recent seasons.
Because of their past as an offense that produced at a lower
level than the defense, it might be easier for the offense to keep
from pointing fingers.
''We all pull together because they (the defense) have
certainly, especially over the years and even this year, certainly,
done their fair share of taking over games, too, and causing
turnovers and doing the things that they do,'' McCown said. ''So
we're a team and we're together and that's really all it is.''
Rather than worry about the defense, the offense is looking for
ways to help. Ball control to limit Peterson's rushing attempts
might be one way.
Whether that could work remains to be seen, since the Bears
controlled the ball for 36:09 last week against the St. Louis Rams
in a 42-21 loss. The Rams ran for 258 yards and had it for only
23:51.
''It was a little bit unique this week,'' coach Marc Trestman
said. ''Generally when you have 36 minutes you're in pretty good
shape, but at the end of the day, turnovers are No. 1, explosive
plays are No. 2, and offensively, from their standpoint, they had
too many explosive plays. ... I've never thought that time of
possession generally is always indicative of who wins a game.''
All of which begs the question, can they limit Peterson's big
plays just by keeping him off the field?
McCown thinks they can if they do something else.
''That's always important and, as an offense you want to look up
and possess the ball because that means you're getting first downs
and you're moving the football,'' McCown said. ''But you've got to
score points, as well.
''Those two things are a major focus, but any time you can have
the ball more than the other team it's one of many things that can
bode well in your favor, as long as you're finishing drives and
doing the right things with it.''
The Bears' defense is still struggling with injuries.
Trestman said linebacker Lance Briggs (shoulder fracture) will
not play.
It's possible the Bears could get their first look at recently
signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, as he practiced Wednesday
on a limited basis.
And defensive tackle Stephen Paea could return from a toe
injury, but he was limited in practice Wednesday.
Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said the defense has to do its
job, and will only get better through practice.
''We're trying to accelerate the process with these guys, and
get them better, faster as a unit,'' he said. ''We don't have a
whole heck of a lot of time.''
NOTES: Running back Matt Forte missed practice Wednesday due to
a knee hyperextension suffered Sunday, but Trestman remained
optimistic Forte will not only play but may practice at some point
this week. ... Quarterback Jay Cutler remained sidelined at
practice and has already been ruled out for Sunday's game.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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