Chargers at Bears
THE STORY: The San Diego Chargers were an unmitigated disaster on special teams in 2010. They’ve improved this season, but stopping Devin Hester has proven to be difficult for even the best coverage units. Hester hopes for a chance to tie Deion Sanders’ NFL record for return touchdowns on Sunday when the resurgent Chicago Bears seek a fifth straight win against the reeling Chargers. San Diego is looking to end its longest losing streak in eight years.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Bears -3.5, O/U 45
ABOUT THE CHARGERS (4-5): The injury-plagued Chargers have lost four straight for the first time since 2003 after the defense was trampled (191 rushing yards allowed) in a 24-17 loss to Oakland last Thursday. Philip Rivers threw a game-clinching interception in the end zone – a play that WR Vincent Jackson seemed to give up on – and now has thrown a career high-tying 15 picks. He leads the NFL with 19 turnovers. Rivers was also sacked a season-high six times while playing most of the game without LT Marcus McNeil (neck, questionable) and G Louis Vasquez (ankle, questionable). Jackson, meanwhile, finally talked to the media and said he never saw the ball. RB Ryan Mathews returned from a groin injury and carried six times for 34 yards against Oakland, but is still complaining of soreness. Rookie WR Vincent Brown (9 catches, 176 yards 1 TD) has played will in two starts in place of Malcom Floyd (hip).
ABOUT THE BEARS (6-3): The Bears barely needed help from QB Jay Cutler or RB Matt Forte in a 37-13 win over the Detroit Lions last week. Hester extended his NFL record to 12 punt return touchdowns with an 82-yarder, while Major Wright and Charles Tillman returned interceptions for scores on consecutive third-quarter series. Hester, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is questionable after leaving last week’s game with strep throat. The "Monsters of the Midway" appear to be back. Chicago forced six turnovers – its most since 1995 – and now has 12 takeaways in the last four games. The Bears have allowed just one play longer than 30 yards during that stretch after allowing five plays of at least 50 yards over the first five games. Rookie S Chris Conte has played well since replacing Chris Harris. Meanwhile, Forte is on pace to become the first player to have over 1,600 yards rushing and 800-plus yards receiving.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Hester has 18 return touchdowns – one shy of tying Sanders’ record (Hester also has a missed FG return).
2. The Chargers allowed three kickoff returns for touchdowns, one punt return for a score and had four punts blocked in 2010.
3. "I don’t know him. You have his number, so we can talk?” – Cutler, speaking facetiously about his infamous 2007 Christmas Eve shouting match with Rivers as a member of the Denver Broncos. Cutler, who spent the first three seasons of his career with Denver, is 1-4 vs. San Diego.