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McPhee's message for Bears' teammates: Stay angry

Veteran outside linebacker Pernell McPhee had some simple advice for his teammates after the 20-10 victory over the Vikings: "Stay (teed) off."

And he reiterated that message when the Bears returned from their bye week Monday after five days off.

"Why not?" McPhee said. "I told the guys the main thing is to stay (teed) off and know where we're at and know where we could go. The sky's the limit. Only thing we've got to do is just stay focused."

The victory before last week's bye elevated the Bears to 2-6, and they have an opportunity to build more momentum, as three of their next four opponents have losing records.

After the 3-5 Bucs, the Bears go back on the road to face the 5-3 Giants, who will be coming off a Monday night game against the Bengals. The next two games are at Soldier Field against the 4-5 Titans and the 1-7 49ers.

"We've been down, right?" defensive end Akiem Hicks said. "Now we're finally getting on the right track, but let's keep that moving and keep that mindset. Whatever it took for us to be successful last week, let's keep that mindset going forward and do it again."

Less is more:

Nose tackle Eddie Goldman's return from a Week 2 high-ankle sprain would be a huge boost, and coach John Fox sounds hopeful.

"You're never really sure when they start getting back into it, but obviously the bye week and that rest and that time off helped him," Fox said. "He had a productive week."

Goldman lost about 15 pounds before this season to improve his agility and endurance after a productive rookie year.

Playing at 320 pounds in the first two games this season, Goldman believes his weight loss helped his effectiveness. But, since he's been out so long, he's a little foggy.

"I was smaller, so I was moving around more fluidly and more swiftly," Goldman said. "That was a long time ago. I can't really reflect too much on it. But I was getting to where I could run to the ball time after time and not be tired and keep going."

Talk is cheap:

Actions speak louder than words according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, which is why the victory over the Vikings helps heading into Tampa for Sunday's game against the Bucs.

"Any time you're playing well, it's going to create confidence," Fangio said. "Good play, good execution fuels emotion more than any speech could. If you're out there experiencing good things, you feel better about yourself as an individual and as a unit. I'm sure the fans even felt a little better."

Let's get physical:

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery says the victory over the Vikings in Week 8 was just a glimpse of the Bears' potential. "Sky's the limit," Jeffery said. "What we put out there last Monday night … we're not even close to what we're capable of doing."

The 6-foot-3 Jeffery's ability to win against Tampa's 5-foot-10 cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes is one of Sunday's key matchups. Jeffery has a clear size advantage, but the Bucs' corners are known for their aggressive, physical style. That's OK with Jeffery.

"Football's a physical sport," he said. "So, if you ain't playing physical, what're you out there doing?"

Medical report:

Six Bears are questionable for Sunday, but most appear to have a better then 50-50 percent chance of playing.

Of those questionable, cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee) and Bryce Callahan (hamstring), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) all practiced Friday but were limited. Defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (back) did not practice.

Cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle) did not practice and is out.

Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston (knee) and wide receiver Mike Evans (concussion) were full practice participants all week.

Starting center Joe Hawley (knee) is doubtful and running back Jacquizz Rodgers (foot) is out. Running back Doug Martin (hamstring) and starting defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (hamstring) are questionable.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

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