Lions much different team since 1-7 start

Since an abysmal 1-7 start, the Detroit Lions have gone 5-2, and one of those losses came on a final-play, Hail Mary touchdown pass by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

So Sunday's battle with the Chicago Bears pits a pair of 6-9 teams fighting to escape the NFC North cellar.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell, whose chances of returning appeared to be nil at the halfway mark, shook up his coaching staff and rallied the troops.

"It's never easy," Caldwell said of the resurrection. "There are all kinds of things going on around you, but we have the right kind of people. They focus in on the things that matter. They didn't listen to the things that don't matter, and we just tried to find a way to get better every day.

"They're guys that are intrinsically motivated. They're guys that love to compete. They're guys that love one another and have a great respect for one another, so they certainly have a lot of pride in what we do and they just kept working."

Quarterback Matthew Stafford led the resurgence, posting a 108.7 passer rating in the past seven games, throwing 16 touchdown passes and just 2 interceptions. In the first eight games, Stafford threw 13 TD passes and 11 picks.

Caldwell fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive-line coaches Jeremiah Washburn and Terry Heffernan.

Quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter was promoted to offensive coordinator, and tight ends coach Ron Prince was given stewardship of the O-line.

The Lions have become the NFL's No. 1 red-zone offense with 32 touchdowns on 47 opportunities, a 68.1 percent success rate. The Bears are tied for 24th at 50 percent.

It wasn't just turnover on the coaching staff that helped the Lions get rerouted. They've all but eliminated turnovers on the field, which undermined the first half of their season.

After giving the ball away 20 times in the first eight games, the Lions have relinquished it just four times in their last seven games.

Nice first impression:

In Week 16, undrafted linebacker John Timu became the first Bears rookie with 2 recoveries of an opponent's fumbles in a game since linebacker Bryan Knight on Sept. 22, 2002.

A week earlier, in Timu's first NFL start, the former Washington Huskie had a game-best 9 tackles, but he was dissatisfied because the Bears were trounced by the Minnesota Vikings 38-17.

The 6-foot, 247-pound Timu was in a much better mood after his fumble recoveries were instrumental in the 26-21 victory over the Bucs at Tampa. But still not satisfied.

"It was a great two weeks," he said. "But it don't mean nothing if you have a bad game in the last week. It's all about consistency. Just prepare like we have a purpose, like we're going to the playoffs and build from that."

Timu hasn't allowed himself to be in awe of opponents like the Vikings' Adrian Peterson during games, but afterward is a different story.

"I went to say hello (to Peterson) and hopefully get a picture," Timu said. "I tried to Google it but couldn't find it. It was pretty awesome afterward, just knowing that I was on the same field as Adrian Peterson and guys like that.

"But you still have to tackle him."

Injury report:

Wide receiver Eddie Royal (illness) and center Hroniss Grasu (knee) did not practice Friday and are doubtful for Sunday.

Tight end Zach Miller (toe) did not practice but is questionable.

Nine other players were limited and are questionable: defensive linemen Jarvis Jenkins (ankle/illness) and Mitch Unrein (knee), running back Matt Forte (back), linebackers Shea McClellin (concussion), Pernell McPhee (knee) and Willie Young (rib), safety Adrian Amos (shoulder) and cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (quad) and Tracy Porter (ankle).

Lions starting center Travis Swanson (shoulder) is out; starting defensive end Jason Jones (neck) is doubtful.

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