Chicago Bears' offense could be ready to click

Injuries to skill-position players have prevented the Chicago Bears' offense from running at full speed for much of the season.

But last time out - the Week 6 loss at Detroit - provided a glimpse of what the offense can become when quarterback Jay Cutler and coordinator Adam Gase have a full array of weapons to utilize.

The offense rolled up a season-high 444 total yards against the Lions. Their 34 points were by far the most the Bears have scored this season and more than they scored in any game last season.

That 3-point overtime loss to the Lions was just the second game this season in which starting wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal both were on the field - and the first time since Week 1.

"It helps," Cutler said. "Any time you can get your crew back together, the guys you feel comfortable with, it's going to make Adam's job easier, (and) it's going to make me comfortable."

Jeffery missed Weeks 2-5 with a hamstring injury, and Royal sat out in Week 5 with a sprained ankle.

Jeffery's size-speed combination helps stretch the field, while Royal's expertise at working underneath provides a reliable option for Cutler.

Jeffery had 8 catches for 147 yards, including 4 receptions of more than 20 yards, at Detroit. Royal added 5 catches for 49 yards and is second on the club with 23 receptions for 169 yards.

"Obviously, getting Alshon back does make a difference because it opens up things down the field," Gase said. "That help us shorten drives up, which is always nice to do, but at the same time we're also trying to make sure that we possess the ball sometimes."

That's often where Royal comes in. He caught 91 passes for 980 yards as a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2008, when Cutler also was his quarterback, but he's a little bit different receiver now.

"We're all a little bit older," Cutler said with a smile, "maybe not as fast, and a little wiser. But Eddie does a great job. He knows coverages a lot better than he did in Denver. He's still dynamic on the inside.

"He wasn't that type of player when we had him in Denver. But now you can line him up inside (and outside). He understands defenses, how to get open. We need to find (more) ways to get him the ball."

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Royal has the quickness and savvy to create separation in the middle of the field, while the 6-3, 216 Jeffery has the wide catch radius and leaping ability to make himself an inviting target even when he's covered.

"If it's man-to-man, and there's no safety over the top," Cutler said, "there's a pretty good chance that he's going to give you a fighting chance to catch the ball."

Catching the ball in the end zone or at least in the vicinity is something the Bears hope to improve on in the final 10 weeks.

The Bears are 25th when it comes to converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, at just 44.4 percent (8 of 18).

"We've just got to put it together and find a way to improve in the red zone," Cutler said, "and keep limiting our turnovers as much as possible."

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