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Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com.

I  see that the Bears will be playing both the Giants and Jets in 2010. Have the Bears ever played both New York teams in the same season in the past?

Casey F.
Galena, Illinois

This will be the fifth time that the Bears will face the Giants and Jets during the same regular season. They won both contests in 1991 and 2006, lost both in 2000 and split the two games in 1974. In 2006, the Bears traveled to the Meadowlands on back-to-back Sundays, beating the Giants 38-20 on Nov. 12 before returning to blank the Jets 10-0 on Nov. 19. 

When was the last time the Bears ended one season and started the next one against the same team like they’re going to do by opening this year against the Detroit Lions?

Pat R.
Schaumburg, Illinois

That little scheduling quirk hasn’t happened in more than 30 years since the Bears closed the 1968 season with a 28-27 loss to the Packers at Wrigley Field and opened the 1969 campaign with a 17-0 defeat to the Packers at Lambeau Field.

How have the Bears fared in prime-time games under Lovie Smith?

Ralph J.
Manheim, Pennsylvania

In Lovie Smith’s six seasons as coach, the Bears are 4-1 on Monday Night Football, 7-6 on Sunday Night Football and 1-2 on Thursday Night Football. They play four prime-time games this season, Sept. 27 against the Packers at Soldier Field and Dec. 20 at Minnesota on Monday Night Football; Oct. 3 at the Giants on Sunday Night Football; and Nov. 18 at Miami on Thursday Night Football.

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