LAKE FOREST, Ill. – With five games left on the schedule, the Chicago Bears probably need to run the table to have a realistic shot at reaching the playoffs.

Here are five keys to the final five games:

Jay Cutler has improved dramatically under Adam Gase and Dowell Loggains. AP Photo/Denis Poroy

1. Efficient Cutler: Jay Cutler is arguably the best story of the season. Under the tutelage of Adam Gase and Dowell Loggains, Cutler has a passer-rating of 100.8 in his last four games. On the year, Cutler’s quarterback rating is 92.5 (currently a single-season career-high). He’s also thrown six interceptions in 344 pass attempts for a career-low 1.8 interception percentage (previous low is 2.2 percent in 2011). Can he maintain this current pace?

2. Run-stoppers: The Bears enter Sunday ranked 29th in rushing defense (128.5). As Pernell McPhee noted on Monday -- that needs to change. “We’re not doing good in the run game right now, so hopefully we can tighten up the screws because San Francisco is probably going to come in here and try to run the ball down our throats.” McPhee said.

3. 1-2 punch: Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford combined for 27 rushing attempts in the win over Green Bay. That number should only increase as Forte’s knee discomfort subsides. Forte and Langford (five touchdowns in four games) gives the team a huge edge as the weather turns colder in December. It’s kind of a surprise the Bears rushing attack is ranked only 16th overall (110.7). Chicago could be a top-10 in that category before the year is over.

4. Special teams? There’s been nothing “special” about the third phase – Robbie Gould (24-of-27 in field goals) is about the lone exception. The Bears desperately need a special teams touchdown. How about a long return? Or a blocked punt? Or maybe forced fumble that a Bears player scoops up and returns for a score? Anything, please. The lack of impact plays from special teams is a major source of frustration.

5. Decent health: The Bears have endured a brutal season in terms of team-health. Cutler, Forte, Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Antrel Rolle, etc., have all missed games due to injuries. The Bears cannot afford any further freak practice injuries. Injuries are part of the game, but Chicago has been particularly unlucky in that department. Maybe the worst is behind them.