It's been a few weeks since the Detroit Lions played at 1 p.m. ET on a Sunday. The Lions have played today's Week 16 opponent, the Chicago Bears, more recently than they last played at the traditional early Sunday kickoff.

Only seven NFL teams since the AFL-NFL merger have been shut out in the first half in four consecutive games. The Bears can become the eighth if they repeat the ineptitude they showed in Detroit, San Francisco and Minneapolis.

Here's a look at three main reasons for optimism for the Bears as they welcome the Lions to Soldier Field on Sunday in Week 16.