Two weeks ago, the Bears were tied for third-fewest drops in the league with 13; they've had seven in the last two games, although Kyle Orton shrugged off four drops Sunday to pass for 219 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears will have to put up points to sweep the Saints, Packers and Texans, let alone win any potential playoff game. The defense won't get to feast as it did against the Rams and Jaguars, and it stands to reason the receivers must step forward with opponents keying in on Hester.
''It's designed where the receivers aren't really a big feature in the offense,'' Davis said. ''I'm not saying we don't get any passes and we don't like to stretch the field. But in our offense right now, the tight ends and the running back are the featured players. Everybody sees it. It's not anything new.''
It's not anything very explosive, either. Forte has 53 receptions, and if he finishes on top, it will mark the second time in five years a back has led the team in catches. Forte and tight ends Greg Olsen (37, 450) and Desmond Clark (33, 312) have combined for 123 catches for 1,157 yards. The wideouts have 105 receptions for 1,436 yards.
''Our tight ends are some of our best players,'' Orton said. ''You always try to get your best players the ball. We feel like we have good matchups week in and week out with the tight ends, and if they're open, we certainly try to throw it to them.''
Lloyd was hardly on the field against the Jaguars but figures to have a bigger role Thursday if for no other reason than Booker could be sidelined. A promising start has fizzled, and a minor knee sprain is no longer the culprit. He's the nonfactor some feared he would be.
Turner has been Lloyd's guardian of sorts and is forecasting more from him, even if it's too little too late for Lloyd's future with the team.
''He'll get in the mix more,'' Turner said. ''[Wednesday] is the first time I have seen him run like he did at the start of the year. I don't think he has been 100 percent healthy, and the confidence I don't think was there because of it.
''He came out and ran like he did earlier. Hopefully he can carry that into the game. We're going to need him to step up and make some plays.''
Someone needs to.
