The Bears head to Redskins Stadium for the first time looking to end their recent losing ways in this once-storied series.

Although Chicago owns a 21-18-1 overall edge in the series standings (including 3-4 mark in 7 postseason battle), the Redskins have prevailed in the last five meetings dating back to 1989, including a 31-8 victory in 1997 at Soldier Field in the latest encounter between the teams.

The Bears have dropped three straight at Washington dating back to 1989, their last road tilt in this series a 10-3 setback in 1996 at RFK Stadium.

Numbers:The Bears have forced 17 turnovers in seven games in '99, this after totaling just 28 takeaways in 16 games in '98. They have totaled 23 sacks in seven games in '99, this after finishing tied for last in the NFL in sacks (28) in 16 games in '98. Including playoffs (87 games), Chicago has allowed 520 points in 37 wins (14.1 PPG), 1,416 points in 52 losses (27.2 PPG) the last six seasons (1994-99). The Bears have committed two or more turnovers in 28 of their last 39 contests dating back to '97--committing 63 turnovers in their last 26 games dating back to '97. IF HE PLAYS: Bears WR Curtis Conway has scored at least one touchdown in his last three games.

In his last eight starts (2 with Minnesota in 1998, 6 with Washington in 1999), Redskins QB Brad Johnson has completed 157-of-253 passes (62.1 percent) for 2,054 yards, 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions, with his team scoring a combined 263 points (31, 38, 35, 50, 27, 38, 24 and 20 points) in those contests. RB Stephen Davis has rushed for 553 yards and nine touchdowns in six games in 1999, running for 100-plus yards in two of those contests. In his three previous seasons (1996-98), Davis rushed for 815 yards and five touchdowns in 42 games and had failed to gain 100 or more yards rushing in any of those contests. In his last 17 games dating back to '98, Redskins WR Michael Westbrook has caught 71 passes for 1,241 yards and 10 touchdowns, totaling 100 or more yards receiving in six of those games. In his three previous seasons (1995-97), Westbrook caught 102 passes for 1,586 yards and just five touchdowns in 35 games and totaled 100 or more yards receiving in just two of those contests. Since 1993, the Redskins have given up 130 or more yards rushing in 51-of-102 games, 200 or more yards on the ground in 11 of those contests, while limiting the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in just 21 of those 102 games. After scoring just 93 points in their first seven games (0-7), the Redskins have scored 420 points in their last 15 contests (10-5) dating back to '98. They have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 15 of their last 22 contests dating back to '98. RB Skip Hicks has scored nine touchdowns in his last 15 games dating back to '98.

Things to look for: After a promising start, Dick Jauron's improving Bears have returned to earth and now must deal with one of the most potent offensive attacks in the league. Meanwhile, the Redskins ust be happy that they don't have to deal with the Cowboys anymore this season as their improving secondary was taken to school by the Dallas' receivers. These Bears don't possess enough firepower to keep pace.

Etc.: Redskins WR Irving Fryar (794) needs six catches to become just the 7th player in NFL history with 800 career receptions. Fryar (12,078) needs 68 yards to tie Charlie Joiner (12,146) for 7th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.