Ravens hoping to finally run the ball against Bears

Ravens coach John Harbaugh's seen the numbers.

The Bears have not been a good team against the run this year. Thus far, Chicago is giving up an average of 129.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. The only team worse defending the run has been Jacksonville.

The only problem is the Ravens have struggled to run the ball no matter the opponent. When Baltimore traveled to Buffalo earlier this year, the Bills had the 31st rushing defense in the NFL at the time. And during that game, the Ravens were forced to abandon the run due to an inability to succeed with it.

The Ravens will hope for improved play along a beleaguered offensive line, to go with more consistent play from both Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce.

The Ravens made one poor run defense (the Bills have improved to 22nd in the league, for what it's worse) look exceptional. They certainly don't want to do the same with the Bears.

"We've been working really hard at improving in that area," Harbaugh told reporters Friday. "It's important for us to be a lot better than we have been. [There is] no time like the present."