Jan. 02--One game left: Bears-Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field in a clash to decide third place in the NFC North. The two teams enter with 6-9 records, but only one will leave with single-digit losses for the season. With kickoff nearing, here's a snapshot look at Sunday's game.
Player in spotlight
Matt Forte is listed officially as questionable for Sunday's game with a back issue and he's also questionable to return as a Bear in 2016 with his contract expiring in March. If Sunday truly is Forte's final game with the franchise, it will be worth monitoring the continued progress of rookie Jeremy Langford, the heir apparent in the backfield.
Langford has been a pleasant surprise as he has taken on a heightened workload over the last two months. For the season, he has averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. But he has continued learning how to finish better through contact at the NFL level and has impressed coordinator Adam Gase with his aggression running downhill.
Langford continues focusing on his goal of getting at least 4.0 yards every rush and said he's also more in tune with how to sharpen his preparation habits.
"You have to make sure you don't lose slack or phase out as you prepare," Langford said. "I think I was heading for that rookie wall at one point. There was one day after meetings where I got home and I caught myself daydreaming and I was more tired than normal. It's like, 'Dang, this is a long season.' I had to catch myself before that wall hit me. You realize everybody's tired, everybody's going through it. So you just keep pushing."
Pressing question
Who will catch passes from Jay Cutler?
Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett and Marquess Wilson are all on injured reserve. Eddie Royal (illness) is doubtful to play and Zach Miller (toe) is questionable. That quintet has combined for 194 catches, 2,297 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. And with none of those players able to practice this week, Cutler understands what he will have to work with against the Lions.
The next men up? Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani, Deonte Thompson and Cameron Meredith at receiver with Rob Housler in line to see additional action at tight end. That group's totals? 39 grabs, 499 yards, one touchdown.
Have at it, Jay.
Keep an eye on ...
Calvin Johnson has had a roller-coaster season and his six-catch, 77-yard effort plus a touchdown in last week's victory over the 49ers snapped a skid in which he had just one catch in each of the previous two games. Johnson has had only one 100-yard outing all year.
But the big-play receiver, already has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his nine seasons. He also has a team-best eight touchdowns. Lions coach Jim Caldwell scoffs at the idea that Johnson is running out of gas now that he's 30 years old.
"No. 1, does he still run by people? It's on film. He does it," Caldwell said. "Does he still jump over the top of people and make plays? It's on film. He still does it. Does he still score touchdowns? It's on film. He does it. Can he still run after the catch? Just take a look at last week."
The Bears don't need convincing. They saw Johnson erupt for six catches, 166 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 37-34 triumph in overtime in Week 6.
Injuries
The Bears' final injury report of the season lists a dozen starters with both Royal and center Hroniss Grasu (knee) doubtful against the Lions.
Questionable for the Bears: Forte, Miller, Pernell McPhee (knee), Tracy Porter (ankle), Shea McClellin (concussion), Jarvis Jenkins (ankle/illness), Willie Young (rib), Adrian Amos (shoulder), Mitch Unrein (knee) and Bryce Callahan (quadriceps).
That led to the obvious question for coach John Fox after Friday's practice: Who exactly will play for the Bears on Sunday?
"We'll figure it out Sunday," Fox quipped. "About an hour-and-a-half before kickoff."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
