Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview
Heinz Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2009 ) Pittsburgh 14, Chicago 17
After two straight home victories, the Chicago Bears look to remain undefeated as they take to the road to face the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Chicago is fortunate to enter Week 3 as one of the league's eight remaining unbeaten teams, as it defeated the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings by a combined four points. The Bears haven't begun a season with three consecutive victories since 2010, when they went on to play in the NFC championship game.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is attempting to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2000. The Steelers have been ineffective offensively, rushing for only 75 yards while scoring a total of 19 points over their first two contests. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has yet to take charge of a game, completing only 58.6 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions while being sacked seven times.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Bears -2.5. O/U: 40.5.
ABOUT THE BEARS (2-0): Chicago is 20-7-1 in the all-time series, which includes a franchise-record 13-game winning streak from 1934-49. Devin Hester has shown no signs of slowing down, as he registered a team-record 249 yards on kick returns in Sunday's triumph over Minnesota. Running back Matt Forte is one of two players in the NFL with over 5,000 yards rushing and 2,000 receiving since joining the league in 2008.
ABOUT THE STEELERS (0-2): Injuries have played a large role in Pittsburgh's struggles, with running back Le'Veon Bell (foot) and tight end Heath Miller (knee) missing each of the first two games and center Maurkice Pouncey (knee), running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (knee) and linebacker Larry Foote (bicep) suffering season-ending injuries in the opener. The Steelers have won five of their last six home meetings with the Bears dating back to 1967. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is two receptions shy of 400 for his career.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Only Jacksonville (11) and Cleveland (16) have scored fewer points than Pittsburgh.
2. The Bears snapped their three-game losing streak against the Steelers in their last meeting, posting a 17-14 triumph at home on Sept. 20, 2009.
3. Chicago QB Jay Cutler has been sacked just once thus far after hitting the ground nine times over the first two games last season.
PREDICTION: Bears 24, Steelers 14