CHICAGO -- The New England Patriots can deal a knockout blow to any lingering post-strike playoff hopes of the Chicago Bears when the two clubs meet at Soldier Field on Sunday.
The Pats are still in the playoff hunt with a 2-2 record after disposing of Houston 29-21 a week ago. The Bears, after handling Detroit 20-17 in the first game after the strike, were thumped 35-7 by the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bears are 1-3 this season. With eight clubs making the playoffs in both conferences, a 1-4 Chicago ledger would just about eliminate the Bears from post season consideration.
'We just about have to win the next five games anyway,' said tight end Emery Morehead. 'We think we can do it. It's just a matter of getting back and doing things the way we know we can do them.'
Chicago's limited success last year came against the AFC. The Bears swept past all four AFC Western Division opponents but could manage only two victories in their own NFC.
The Patriots have never lost to the Bears in three meetings. Chicago is one of three teams -- expansion clubs Seattle and Tampa Bay are the others -- that have never beaten New England.
Last Sunday in Minnesota, the Vikings riddled the Bears' secondary for five touchdown passes by quarterback Tommy Kramer.
But first-year Coach Mike Ditka said he expected the Patriots to stick with a ground-oriented offense.
'They like to run the football and they do it very well,' Ditka said. 'They have a lot of young personnel. Like teams with so many young players, it takes them awhile to get going. They are an excellent defensive club.'
First-year New England Coach Ron Meyer said he was aware of the problems the Bears had against the Minnesota passing attack. However, he said he didn't foresee making any wholesale changes in the Pats' game plan.
'I don't see us installing a Minnesota-type offense in a week,' Meyer said.
The Patriots plan to stick with quarterback Steve Grogan, who replaced Matt Cavanaugh last week and threw for three touchdowns in his first start since Nov. 15, 1981.
'I don't see us throwing 35 to 40 times a game,' Grogan said. 'It's another week this week and it could be completely different.'
Chicago is expected to stay with rookie quarterback Jim McMahon, who nursed a sore shoulder all week. However, Ditka said if McMahon was still ailing, he would either go with veteran Vince Evans or Bob Avellini.
'I'm not going to risk Jim's entire career Sunday if he's not ready,' Ditka said.
Evans replaced McMahon in the fourth quarter last Sunday while Avellini was Ditka's choice to start the opener last September against the Lions.
The Bears' offensive line has been the Achilles heel of the club all year. The Vikings sacked McMahon seven times last Sunday and also shutdown the Bears running attack in the final three quarters. Last week, the Pats recorded six sacks and held Houston's leading rusher, Earl Campbell, to just 37 yards.
Walter Payton, who had gained more than 60 yards in the first quarter against the Vikes, was shut down the rest of the way. In for games this season, Payton has only 200 yards.
Payton had fluid on his knee last week but will again start for the Bears.
The Patriots' ground game was led by Tony Collins, who gained 161 yards last week, the sixth highest total in team history. He has gained 419 yards in four games this season.
Meyer said he would likely go with a 60-40 split in favor of the run. However, guard John Hannah is recovering from an injury and his status is questionable.
'There's no doubt they can run it and run it well,' Ditka added. 'We're going to have to stop the run if we're going to be successful.'
