The Lions head to the Windy City to face the Bears (off last week) in position to sweep this divisional rivalry for the third time in 5 years.

Three weeks ago on Thanksgiving Day at the Silverdome (Week 12), Lions QB Gus Frerotte threw for 309 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Bobby Ross' club jumped out to a 21-0 second-quarter lead and held on for a 21-17 victory.

The Lions and Bears have now met at least once a year from 1930-99 (70 consecutive seasons, the longest continuous rivalry in the NFL), with Chicago owning the edge (77-57-5) in the series standings, however Detroit has been the better team as of late, prevailing in nine of the last 12 battles dating back to the clubs' second encounter in 1993.

As for the Detroit's last appearance at Soldier Field (Week 5 of '98), Lions QB Charlie Batch threw for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns as his team built a 27-10 third-quarter lead, however since-departed Bears QB Erik Kramer spearheaded a frantic fourth quarter rally which saw Chicago score 21 unanswered points, capped by Kramer's 1-yard TD run with 1:50 to play as Chicago came all the way back for a 31-27 win.

The Lions are just 4-11 in their last 15 appearances at Soldier Field dating back to 1984, but are 3-3 in their last six trips to Chicago dating back to 1993.

Numbers: After allowing 115 points (28.8 PPG) and 831 yards rushing (207.8 YPG) in their last four games (0-4) in 1998, the Lions have allowed just 254 points (19.5 PPG) and only 1,086 yards rushing (83.5 YPG) in 13 games in '99. Including playoffs, the Lions have allowed 317 points in 22 victories (17 or fewer points in 16 of those wins) and 641 points in 24 losses dating back to '97. The Lions have forced 51 turnovers in 22 wins, 23 takeaways in 24 losses dating back to '97, including playoffs. They have allowed three or more sacks in 10-of-13 contests in '99. The Lions have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in three straight games.

The Bears have forced 27 turnovers in 13 games in '99, this after totaling just 28 takeaways in 16 games in '98. They have totaled 33 sacks in 13 games in '99, this after finishing tied for last in the NFL in sacks (28) in 16 games in '98. In 1995, since-departed Bears QB Erik Kramer (9-7) threw a team-record 29 touchdown passes, just 10 interceptions and was sacked only 15 times--the only quarterback in the NFL to take every snap from center that season. In their last 61 games (1996-99), eight Bears quarterbacks have seen action (Shane Matthews, Cade McNown and Jim Miller, as well as since-departed Dave Krieg, Steve Stenstrom, Rick Mirer, Moses Moreno and Kramer), amassing an 20-41 record, throwing 65 TD passes, 70 interceptions while being sacked 125 times. In his last nine games, Bears WR Marcus Robinson has totaled 50 receptions for 940 yards (18.8 avg.) and six touchdowns, totaling 100 or more yards receiving in four of those contests. Including playoffs (95 games), the Bears have allowed 553 points in 39 wins (14.2 PPG), 1,547 points in 56 losses (27.6 PPG) the last 6 seasons (1994-99). They have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four straight games.

Things to look for: With a chance to take control of the NFC Central last week, the Lions squandered an early lead at Tampa as the Buccaneers' made the big plays when necessary. But Bobby Ross' team can't afford to look past the well-rested Bears, who nearly came all the way back on Thanksgiving Day at Pontiac. Detroit's defensive front figures to spend plenty of time next to Bears' QB Cade McNown.

Etc.: Since 1997 (including playoffs), the Lions are 22-24 under head coach Bobby Ross, including 14-9 vs. NFC Central rivals.