Will Clausen get another start?

If Jay Cutler isn't back from his hamstring strain in time to face the Oakland Raiders this Sunday, it's fair to wonder if Jimmy Clausen played well enough to get another start or whether No. 3 quarterback David Fales could get his first look in a regular-season game.

"I didn't think our whole football team played well enough, obviously to win the football game," coach John Fox said when asked about Clausen.

"There were some bright spots. You guys don't see them. I think in a pass-fail system, nobody's totally pleased. But I don't think it came down to one guy in that game."

Clausen threw for just 63 yards on 9-of-17 passing for a 61.6 passer rating.

So, why not Fales?

"I would consider starting anybody on the 53-man roster," Fox said. "That's why they're here. Obviously, we want to pick the best 11 whenever we deem that to be. And we won't know that until we check the injury report on Friday."

In three weeks, Fales has bounced from inactive on the 53-man roster, to waived, to the practice squad and back to the 53, and he was active on Sunday but did not play as Clausen's only backup.

"I was impressed with him when we threw him in the fourth preseason game against Cleveland," Fox said of Fales. "I've been impressed with how he went about preparing himself being on and off the 53 here in just three weeks."

In the final preseason game against the Browns, Fales completed 14 of 18 passes for 131 yards, 2 touchdowns, no picks and a 134.0 passer rating against the Browns in the final preseason game.

Not all bad:

The most obvious defensive improvement in Week 3 was the pass rush, which generated the first 4 sacks of the season, 2 each by Pernell McPhee and Jarvis Jenkins.

"Everybody measures pass rush … some people (measure pass rush) with sacks," coach John Fox said. "I don't know that that's always the great evaluation.

"But I thought all in all our pass defense was a little bit improved. We had a couple tighter coverages, where Russell (Wilson) had to pull the ball down. That buys time for your rush.

"We did a good job of crowding (Wilson) in the rush. We didn't have guys running eight yards by him. We pushed the pocket up inside. I thought Jarvis Jenkins had a couple good examples of that. I saw a bit of improvement in that area."

The defense also did better on third downs, allowing the Seahawks to convert just 31 percent of their opportunities after permitting 57 percent in the first two games. And the red-zone defense didn't allow a TD in two Seahawks chances.

"It wasn't all negative," Fox said. "It's just a lot of work for nothing."

Coming up short:

The Bears, one of four 0-3 teams along with Detroit, New Orleans and Baltimore, are not where coach John Fox expected to be.

"We've had three opportunities in the regular season, and they haven't turned out like we expect," Fox said.

"Obviously disappointed that we're 0-for-3 in those opportunities. I don't know that it's all been horrible.

"I know the result is horrible, but hopefully we can grow and learn and get better from it moving forward."

Status quo:

There was no update on the condition of offensive left tackle Jermon Bushrod (concussion) or defensive lineman Will Sutton (biceps).

Coach John Fox did not confirm or deny national reports that wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring/calf) would return after a two-game hiatus or that punter Patrick O'Donnell suffered a leg injury Sunday.

"Like all those reports you guys get, I have no news to report on that," Fox said. "I have no way of knowing, so I'm not sure how they do."