Chicago @ Cleveland preview
FirstEnergy Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2013 ) Cleveland 18, Chicago 16
The Chicago Bears will have their starting quarterback in the lineup when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Jay Cutler was cleared to practice at full speed on Wednesday and coach Marc Trestman on Thursday announced that he will start against Cleveland. The veteran has been sidelined for four games with a high ankle sprain suffered versus Detroit on Nov. 10, when he returned from a one-game absence due to a groin injury.
Chicago vies for its second straight win as it looks to at least maintain a share of first place with Detroit in the NFC North. The Bears rolled to a 45-28 triumph over Dallas as backup Josh McCown threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. Cleveland hopes to halt its four-game losing streak as it plays its finale at home, where it is 3-4.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Bears -1. O/U: 44.5.
ABOUT THE BEARS (7-6): McCown threw for 348 yards Monday in a performance that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The 34-year-old has thrown 13 touchdown passes and just one interception to Cutler's 13 and eight, but he understands his role with the team. "I know my job as the backup," McCown said after Monday's victory. "I want to play efficient football, winning football and keep us in contention while the starter is not healthy. As long as Jay is healthy and ready to go, I don't think there's any question."
ABOUT THE BROWNS (4-9): Cleveland was on the verge of snapping its losing streak last Sunday before allowing two touchdowns in the final 61 seconds en route to a 27-26 loss at New England. The setback, their seventh in eight games, assured the Browns of their sixth consecutive losing season. Quarterback Brandon Weeden (concussion) practiced on Wednesday but remains questionable to serve as Jason Campbell's backup on Sunday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Browns WR Josh Gordon leads the NFL with 1,400 receiving yards. He enters Sunday with a streak of four straight games with at least 125 yards.
2. Chicago has lost four consecutive visits to Cleveland.
3. Cleveland ranks 28th in rushing offense (84.3 yards), while the Bears are last in the league against the run (157 yards allowed).
PREDICTION: Bears 23, Browns 13