Avichayil blog

Thursday's NFL capsule

OPENING LINE — Dolphins by 2

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Chicago 4-4-1, Miami 6-3

SERIES RECORD — Dolphins lead 7-3

LAST MEETING — Dolphins beat Bears 31-13, Nov. 5, 2006

LAST WEEK — Bears beat Vikings 27-13; Dolphins beat Titans 29-17

BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (29), RUSH (23), PASS (21)

BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (2), PASS (15)

DOLPHINS OFFENSE — OVERALL (16), RUSH (19), PASS (13)

DOLPHINS DEFENSE — OVERALL (8), RUSH (16), PASS (6)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Twenty-five years ago next month, Bears endured their only loss of season at Miami en route to winning Super Bowl. ... Brian Urlacher needs four tackles to break Mike Singletary's team career record of 1,487. ... Dolphins are converting 46 percent of their third-down situations, third best in NFL. The Bears are at 29 percent, second worst. ... Dolphins rank third worst in kickoff coverage, and Bears are fourth best in returns. ... Bears rank second in NFL in points allowed and lead league with 24 takeaways: 14 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. ... Bears have forced 40 three-and-out series, most in league. They've allowed six TD passes, tied with New Orleans for fewest in NFL. ... Jay Cutler has been sacked league-high 29 times. ... Bears need one win to become first franchise to reach 700 in regular-season games. They're 699-510-42. ... Former Dolphins Jake Scott and Bill Stanfill will be inducted into team's Honor Roll at halftime. ... Dolphins are down to third-string QB Tyler Thigpen with Chad Pennington (shoulder) out for season and Chad Henne bothered by left knee injury. Thigpen played decently in short stint late in win over Titans, going 6 for 12 for 79 yards, one TD and one INT. ... Miami's Cameron Wake leads AFC with 8 1/2 sacks. ... Dolphins have not had 100-yard rusher this season, but Ronnie Brown ran for 157 yards last time Dolphins faced Bears. ... TE Anthony Fasano is coming off his first 100-yard receiving game. ... Brandon Marshall has 55 receptions but only one touchdown. ... The Dolphins are 0 for 5 converting fourth downs.