Nov. 08--1. Record player
Philip Rivers, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, is playing the best football of his career and now will take aim at a Bears secondary that has only one interception this season. Rivers may threaten the NFL record for passing yards in a season as he's on pace for 5,506 plus a career-best 36 touchdown passes. Rivers' quick release and ability to read the field are impressive. Bears coach John Fox, who faced Rivers twice a year the last four seasons, also knows the intangibles the Chargers quarterback offers. "I've always had such great respect for him as a competitor," Fox said.
2. Next man up
A right knee injury will keep Matt Forte out of action, opening the door for rookie running back Jeremy Langford to make his first career start. Expecting Langford to replicate Forte's production would be foolish. But Langford is a power runner with impressive burst and his performance in Forte's absence will be intriguing as the Bears map out their future plans. Adam Gase remains impressed with how decisive Langford is in hitting the holes. "He's going to be downhill," Gase said. "He's going to hit it hard and he's going to fight for every inch."
3. Close encounters
Don't be surprised if Monday night's game goes down to the final play. The Bears' last four contests have been decided by a total of nine points with each swinging on a score in the final minute or overtime. (The Bears are 2-2 in those games.) The Chargers, meanwhile, have had three games decided on scores on the final play, including last week's 29-26 road loss at Baltimore. Said coach Mike McCoy: "This is the NFL. The parity in the league is incredible. You have to play your best football and you have to make those plays when the game is on the line."
4. Just to be clear
Martellus Bennett is proud of his all-around abilities and remains sensitive when compared to more one-dimensional pass-catching tight ends. Bennett called several out by name this week -- Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas and Antonio Gates among them -- as mediocre blockers. Gase also rejects any outside worries that Bennett is becoming a less important cog in the offense, praising his run blocking and pass protection. "He's one of the main reasons we're able to hold on to the ball, make some of those throws downfield and have some explosive plays," Gase said.
