Weather moves back Bears-Ravens game time to 3:15 p.m.

The Bears flew out of O'Hare Airport late Friday night, instead of their originally scheduled Saturday afternoon departure, in an effort to arrive in Baltimore before a heavy storm that was expected to drop 12-15 inches of snow in the area starting late Friday night and throughout the day today.

The starting time for the game was pushed back from noon (Chicago time) to 3:15 p.m. in anticipation of the storm and as a public safety concern. The city of Baltimore urged the change to accommodate fans and allow more time for city and stadium personnel to clear streets and walkways in and around the stadium.

"You have to be flexible always," Bears coach Lovie Smith said after Friday's practice. "This time of the year things can come up like this. For the most part we'll just do our regular routine, but do it up there."

Smith said a sloppy field wouldn't necessarily favor either side of the ball.

"The receivers know where they're going to plant and break on their route; the DBs don't," Smith said. "On the other side, the football is a little bit harder to secure (on offense), with the conditions."

Pacing himself: Although left tackle Orlando Pace had a full week of practice after missing the last two games with a groin injury, Chris Williams will remain the starter there for the third straight week. Pace is listed as questionable. Williams started the first 11 games at right tackle, where Kevin Shaffer has moved in since Williams moved to the left side.

Williams was penalized three times last week at left tackle but, when asked if the second-year player would be better off remaining at one position, coach Lovie Smith downplayed his difficulties.

"We had a rough game last week, Chris and everybody else," Smith said. "I like a lot of the things he did. We would like to keep all of our players in one position, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way."

Hester doubtful: After not practicing all week, Devin Hester is not expected to play Sunday, although he was listed as doubtful on the injury report. Hester's absence will provide another starting opportunity for Devin Aromashodu, who had 8 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown last week in his first start as a Bear and second in three NFL seasons.

Jamar Williams was back at practice after sitting out Thursday with a minor ankle injury, although he is listed as questionable, along with cornerbacks Charles Tillman (back) and Zach Bowman (illness) and defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee). All four were full participants in Friday's practice.

The Ravens listed two starters: OLT Jared Gaither and wide receiver Mark Clayton as out. Three more starters - defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, safety Ed Reed and linebacker Jarret Johnson - were listed as questionable.