The Chicago Bears will look to end a 56-week drought without a home victory Sunday when they face the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field. The Bears are again underdogs, however, and will have to put forth a crisp and complete effort to get back on the winning track.

As kickoff nears, here’s a look at a dozen attention-grabbing facts and figures.

159

Passing touchdowns for quarterback Tyson Bagent during his career at Shepherd University, an NCAA record among all divisions. Bagent made 53 starts for the Rams between 2018 and 2022 and completed 1,400 passes for 17,034 yards, which is a Division II record. He threw for a career-high 518 yards in his college debut — a loss to Notre Dame College in 2018. Bagent threw for a career-high seven touchdowns in a win against West Virginia Wesleyan later that season.

6

Bagent passes targeted for DJ Moore during the second half of his NFL debut Sunday. Bagent threw 14 passes overall and connected four times with Moore for 44 yards. His final pass — an interception on the Bears’ final drive — also was intended for Moore but significantly underthrown. In the first five games, Moore was averaging seven targets from Justin Fields.

7

Starts missed due to illness or injury from Fields over the last three seasons. That number is expected to tick up to eight Sunday with Fields doubtful to play against the Raiders due to a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. As a rookie in 2021, Fields missed two games because of an injury to his ribs, two more with an ankle issue and another when he came down with COVID-19. Last season, he missed the Week 12 game against the New York Jets with a separated shoulder as well as the season finale due to a hip injury.

4

Three-and-out possessions the Bears defense forced in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears allowed only 58 total yards and two first downs after halftime and didn’t allow the Vikings to convert any of their six third-down attempts in the second half. Coming into the game, the Bears had forced nine three-and-outs over 53 possessions.

8

The Bears’ league ranking in rushing yards allowed, with opponents averaging 89.5 yards per game through six weeks. The Bears limited the Vikings to 46 rushing yards on 22 attempts after limiting the Washington Commanders to 29 yards on 10 rushes in Week 5. A year ago, the Bears defense ranked 31st against the run, allowing 157.3 yards per game. No opposing running back has topped 75 rushing yards against the Bears this season.

2.9

Yards per rush for Raiders running back Josh Jacobs through six games, a 41% dip from a season ago. In 2022, Jacobs led the league in rushing yards (1,653) and was a first-team All-Pro. He also had 12 touchdowns. So far this season, Jacobs ranks 20th in the NFL in rushing yards (312) and has reached the end zone just twice.

1,024

Career receiving yards against the Bears for Raiders standout Davante Adams. Adams played against the Bears 16 times during his eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers and amassed 81 catches while scoring 10 touchdowns. His biggest game came in 2016 when he contributed to a 26-10 Packers victory at Lambeau Field with 13 catches for 132 yards with two touchdowns.

335

Receiving yards this season by Jakobi Meyers, who signed with the Raiders in March on a three-year, $33 million deal with $21 million guaranteed. Meyers entered free agency widely considered to be the top receiver available on the open market in a class that included Robert Woods, Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark and Allen Lazard.

13

Consecutive field-goal attempts Bears kicker Cairo Santos has made, dating to December. Santos is 10-for-10 this season and has made all 12 of his point-after-touchdown kicks. His last missed field goal was a 40-yarder that was blocked by the Green Bay Packers in Week 13 last season. In 57 career games with the Bears, Santos has made 90.7% of his field-goal attempts, a franchise record.

13-3

Record, in Bears games during the Eberflus era, of the team that wins the turnover battle. This season, the team with the advantage in the turnover margin is 5-0. The Bears and Kansas City Chiefs each had two takeaways in Week 3 in a 41-10 Chiefs victory. The three occasions last season in which the Bears won the turnover battle but still lost the game came against the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

1-5

The Bears’ record through six weeks, the team’s worst start since 2016 and the 11th time they have started 1-5 or worse during the Super Bowl era. The 1969 Bears, under coach Jim Dooley, and the 1997 team with Dave Wannstedt at the helm each lost their first seven games of those seasons. The Bears have yet to win consecutive games under Matt Eberflus, making them one of only two teams in the league to not have back-to-back victories over the last two seasons. The Arizona Cardinals are the other.

9

Bears quarterbacks who have started against the Raiders in the teams’ last 10 meetings, a list that includes Fields (2021), Chase Daniel (2019), Jay Cutler (2015), Caleb Hanie (2011), Brian Griese (2007), Kordell Stewart (2003), Shane Matthews (1999), Dave Krieg (1996) and Jim Harbaugh (1993 and 1990).

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The Chicago Bears will look to end a 56-week drought without a home victory Sunday when they face the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field. The Bears are again underdogs, however, and will have to put forth a crisp and complete effort to get back on the winning track.

As kickoff nears, here’s a look at a dozen attention-grabbing facts and figures.

159

Passing touchdowns for quarterback Tyson Bagent during his career at Shepherd University, an NCAA record among all divisions. Bagent made 53 starts for the Rams between 2018 and 2022 and completed 1,400 passes for 17,034 yards, which is a Division II record. He threw for a career-high 518 yards in his college debut — a loss to Notre Dame College in 2018. Bagent threw for a career-high seven touchdowns in a win against West Virginia Wesleyan later that season.

6

Bagent passes targeted for DJ Moore during the second half of his NFL debut Sunday. Bagent threw 14 passes overall and connected four times with Moore for 44 yards. His final pass — an interception on the Bears’ final drive — also was intended for Moore but significantly underthrown. In the first five games, Moore was averaging seven targets from Justin Fields.

7

Starts missed due to illness or injury from Fields over the last three seasons. That number is expected to tick up to eight Sunday with Fields doubtful to play against the Raiders due to a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. As a rookie in 2021, Fields missed two games because of an injury to his ribs, two more with an ankle issue and another when he came down with COVID-19. Last season, he missed the Week 12 game against the New York Jets with a separated shoulder as well as the season finale due to a hip injury.

4

Three-and-out possessions the Bears defense forced in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears allowed only 58 total yards and two first downs after halftime and didn’t allow the Vikings to convert any of their six third-down attempts in the second half. Coming into the game, the Bears had forced nine three-and-outs over 53 possessions.

8

The Bears’ league ranking in rushing yards allowed, with opponents averaging 89.5 yards per game through six weeks. The Bears limited the Vikings to 46 rushing yards on 22 attempts after limiting the Washington Commanders to 29 yards on 10 rushes in Week 5. A year ago, the Bears defense ranked 31st against the run, allowing 157.3 yards per game. No opposing running back has topped 75 rushing yards against the Bears this season.

2.9

Yards per rush for Raiders running back Josh Jacobs through six games, a 41% dip from a season ago. In 2022, Jacobs led the league in rushing yards (1,653) and was a first-team All-Pro. He also had 12 touchdowns. So far this season, Jacobs ranks 20th in the NFL in rushing yards (312) and has reached the end zone just twice.

1,024

Career receiving yards against the Bears for Raiders standout Davante Adams. Adams played against the Bears 16 times during his eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers and amassed 81 catches while scoring 10 touchdowns. His biggest game came in 2016 when he contributed to a 26-10 Packers victory at Lambeau Field with 13 catches for 132 yards with two touchdowns.

335

Receiving yards this season by Jakobi Meyers, who signed with the Raiders in March on a three-year, $33 million deal with $21 million guaranteed. Meyers entered free agency widely considered to be the top receiver available on the open market in a class that included Robert Woods, Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark and Allen Lazard.

13

Consecutive field-goal attempts Bears kicker Cairo Santos has made, dating to December. Santos is 10-for-10 this season and has made all 12 of his point-after-touchdown kicks. His last missed field goal was a 40-yarder that was blocked by the Green Bay Packers in Week 13 last season. In 57 career games with the Bears, Santos has made 90.7% of his field-goal attempts, a franchise record.

13-3

Record, in Bears games during the Eberflus era, of the team that wins the turnover battle. This season, the team with the advantage in the turnover margin is 5-0. The Bears and Kansas City Chiefs each had two takeaways in Week 3 in a 41-10 Chiefs victory. The three occasions last season in which the Bears won the turnover battle but still lost the game came against the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

1-5

The Bears’ record through six weeks, the team’s worst start since 2016 and the 11th time they have started 1-5 or worse during the Super Bowl era. The 1969 Bears, under coach Jim Dooley, and the 1997 team with Dave Wannstedt at the helm each lost their first seven games of those seasons. The Bears have yet to win consecutive games under Matt Eberflus, making them one of only two teams in the league to not have back-to-back victories over the last two seasons. The Arizona Cardinals are the other.

9

Bears quarterbacks who have started against the Raiders in the teams’ last 10 meetings, a list that includes Fields (2021), Chase Daniel (2019), Jay Cutler (2015), Caleb Hanie (2011), Brian Griese (2007), Kordell Stewart (2003), Shane Matthews (1999), Dave Krieg (1996) and Jim Harbaugh (1993 and 1990).

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As the Orioles packed up their lockers in the visitors’ clubhouse at Globe Life Field last week, John Means had similar — yet also different — feelings of disappointment.

Means diligently worked for 16 months to make his way back from elbow surgery and pitched like one of Baltimore’s best starters in September, only to have a flare-up in his left elbow two days before the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers started.

“Yeah, it was tough,” Means said about missing the ALDS after the Orioles’ loss in Game 3. “These guys have been so good all year. But obviously I wanted to be out there, try and help this team, but it just wasn’t in the cards.”

That elbow discomfort Means felt during his two-inning simulated game turned out to be something “small,” he said, and the decision to hold him out of the ALDS was “just one of those precautionary things.”

Past the disappointment of missing the Orioles’ first playoff appearance since 2016, Means’ elbow being structurally OK is good news for the left-hander and Baltimore’s rotation in 2024. Means said he expects to have a “normal” offseason and head into spring training ready for a full season.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Means said. “I should be ready to go. I’m looking forward to spring training when I’m not held back.”

Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said during his end-of-season news conference last week that Means’ elbow is in “good shape.”

“His elbow just kind of barked at an unfortunate time for him, but we’ve gotten it looked at and he’s gonna be fine, so he’ll be a full-go in spring training,” Elias said. “Nothing needed for treatment with him other than just kind of time and rest.”

Means suffered through the Orioles’ painful rebuild as the club’s best starting pitcher. He was an All-Star and AL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2019 and the team’s opening day starter in 2021 and 2022. But in his second start of the 2022 season, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and later underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction.

Three weeks after his surgery, the Orioles promoted catcher Adley Rutschman and transformed into a playoff contender. From the time of his injury to when he returned in September 2023, Means watched from the side as Baltimore emerged from the rebuild to play important games through the 2022 season and then spend the first five months of the 2023 campaign as one of MLB’s best teams.

The hope was Means could return in July, but a muscle strain in his back delayed his return by about two months.

“It was up and down, for sure,” Means said of his 2023. “I was glad I made it back eventually. I was hoping to make it back for more, but, yeah, I was happy with how I felt when I was back, so I guess that’s all you can ask for.”

Even though he only started four games and didn’t pitch in the postseason, he still played an integral role down the stretch. He posted a 2.66 ERA in 23 2/3 innings, including a masterful start in Cleveland in which he took a no-hit bid into the seventh to help end a three-game losing streak.

“The guy came out of nowhere and saved our division title in Cleveland, and I’ll never forget that,” Elias said.

Not having Means in the ALDS did play a factor in the sweep, although whether the left-hander would’ve made a big enough difference to turn the series is unlikely. It’s also unclear whether Means would’ve started Game 3 in Arlington, Texas, or come out of the bullpen sometime in the series, but manager Brandon Hyde said not having Means affected how he could use the rest of his pitching staff.

“It’s just one of those things that happened. It’s unfortunate, but it happened and it didn’t allow us to have one of our starters go in the bullpen,” Hyde said.

In 2024, Means could once again help lead the Orioles’ rotation, but one that’s much better than the ones he headlined during the rebuild. Kyle Bradish emerged this season as one of the AL’s best starting pitchers, while rookie Grayson Rodriguez bounced back from a poor first half with a stellar second, although he struggled in his one postseason start.

After the Game 3 loss to the Rangers, Means said getting playoff experience will be beneficial for a team that’s still on the upswing.

“This is something that, you know, is going to be very useful down the road,” he said. “This team is so young and so talented and so smart, too, that they’re just going to be able to be even better next year.”

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Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 7 game between the Ravens (4-2) and the Lions (5-1) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Brian Wacker, reporter

Lions 24, Ravens 17: The Lions’ offense has scored the third-most touchdowns (21) in the NFL, while the Ravens have given up the fewest (6) of any team in the league. But this is also the most complete team Baltimore has faced this season, with the Lions’ defense also surrendering just 18.8 points per game, ninth-fewest in the NFL. Detroit star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is also coming off a 12-catch, 124-yard game, and while the Lions are without running back David Montgomery, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is likely to return from a hamstring injury.

Mike Preston, columnist

Ravens 21, Lions 18: Detroit is one of the most physical teams in the NFL. The Lions have Jared Goff, who isn’t a great quarterback but is the best the Ravens have faced so far this season. This will be one of the best matchups of the weekend, and the Ravens should win a tightly contested game at home. Justin Tucker kicks the game-winner.

Childs Walker, reporter

Ravens 24, Lions 20: All logic points to the Lions. The Ravens haven’t played an offense nearly this potent, and it’s not like they can count on pounding Detroit’s defense. There’s also a possible London hangover to consider. That said, this feels like an occasion for Lamar Jackson to put it together after a week of analysts fawning over the Lions.

C.J. Doon, editor

Lions 23, Ravens 20: In terms of overall efficiency, according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA, only the 49ers rank higher than the Lions. During its four-game winning streak, Detroit is outscoring opponents by an average of 15 points. The Ravens are getting healthier and will have the two best players on the field in Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith, but I’ve been impressed enough by the Lions’ talent and body of work to give them the slight edge Sunday.

Tim Schwartz, editor

Lions 20, Ravens 17: The last time the Ravens faced the Lions, Justin Tucker etched his name in the history books with an NFL-record 66-yard game-winning field goal. I don’t expect another Baltimore miracle Sunday. The Lions are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and by far the best team the Ravens will have faced so far this season. This is the week Baltimore needs to finally put it all together for a full 60 minutes — and I’m not sold they’re quite ready.

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