(670 The Score) At the start of this regular season, the Ravens were among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Now, they sit at 1-5 and face an uphill climb to reach the postseason.
The Bears (4-2) know well that they'll have a tough challenge Sunday in Baltimore, where Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson could be ready to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the past two games.
Jackson returned to Ravens practice Wednesday, his first such work since being injured on Sept. 28. The Bears weren't caught off guard by Jackson's likely return.
"We’ll approach it that he’s starting for them," Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. "That’s our starting point."
Jackson is a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and two-time MVP. The Ravens' backup quarterback is veteran Cooper Rush, who's 0-2 since stepping in as the starter for Jackson.
The Bears and Ravens will kick off at noon CT on Sunday in Baltimore.
"Listen, it's a good team," Johnson said. "Their record really doesn't indicate what they are capable of doing. They can put up points in bunches and this defense is always, since (John) Harbaugh has been there, has always found a way to respond. So, even last year when they didn't start off hot they came back and they finished the season real strong. I know coming off a bye week here, they'll be fresh, they'll be rested, they'll be ripping and roaring, ready to go.
"We got to be on our stuff this week."