A key to the Bears' reversal from 5-12 last year to 4-3 under new head coach Ben Johnson and estimable first-year defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is their league-leading 16 turnovers that have translated to an NFL-best 7.1 points per game.

Something has to give. In Joe Flacco's three games as the Bengals quarterback, they haven't turned it over.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor points to the pass pattern recognition of Chicago's veteran linebackers (Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards) as well as the cornerbacks' ability to jump routes.

But in the Bears' loss to Baltimore last week, they didn't have their three top cornerbacks, as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are on injured reserve, and Tyrique Stevenson was out with a shoulder injury, but he was full in practice this week.

The Bengals are looking to go without a turnover in four straight games for the first time since the last four games of 2021 and the Super Bowl run. Flacco is looking to go four straight without throwing a pick for the first time since 2010.

Earlier in the week, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher gave a glimpse of how the turnovers have been avoided.

"We've just got to play every down with a clear plan as to what you're going to do with the football and know your keys and play with vision, don't guess and make responsible decisions," Pitcher said.

"That's the framework we always talk about it … quarterbacks, specifically, who make the decisions. It's not about, hey, don't turn the ball over. 'Well, thanks, man. Great advice.' How does that happen? Taking care of the football is a byproduct of knowing what you're looking at, making good decisions and being a smart football player. And so you focus on that part of it. And then if you take care of all those things, then you're going to take care of the football."

Slants and Screens

NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson is out for the second time in three games after re-aggravating his hip injury last week when a Jets' double team appeared to rough him …

Linebacker Logan Wilson (calf) is out, but Oren Burks, who injured his groin in practice this week, was active and is expected to do what Wilson did last week and play about 20 snaps behind starters Demetrius Knight Jr., and Barrett Carter …

Cornerback Marco Wilson (hamstring) was out for the second straight game …

Defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson was active for the third time this season and first time in three weeks …

Backup guard Dalton Risner (illness) didn't go for a second straight week and they called up Jaxson Kirkland off the practice squad …

Wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who has yet to be active this year, wasn't on Sunday …

Tight end Cam Grandy was also out as Sean Clifford was the third quarterback for the first time all year …