Bears bench Jay Cutler, will start Jimmy Clausen

The thought crossed Jay Cutler's mind as soon as he was told he was being benched: He might have played his final game for the Bears.

The team announced Thursday it will start Jimmy Clausen against the Lions instead of the man who signed a seven-year, $126-million deal, with more than $50 million guaranteed, at the end of last season.

The Bears (5-9) will miss the postseason for the seventh time in eight years, and it's unclear whether Cutler and coach Marc Trestman will be back next year.

"I would like to stay here," said Cutler, who has a league-high 24 turnovers. "I really like it here . . . Clearly, it's a different circumstance now. But going forward, this is where I'd like to be."

The benching comes after Trestman pledged his allegiance to Cutler as the starter several times in the past few weeks.

Jaguars defeat Titans

Jordan Todman's 62-yard touchdown run helped the host Jaguars beat the Titans, 21-13, Thursday night in a matchup of two of the NFL's worst teams.

The Jaguars (3-12) won for the second time in four weeks. Tennessee (2-13) lost its ninth consecutive game and moved a step closer to securing the No. 1 draft pick.

Around the league

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said quarterback Cam Newton "probably" will start Sunday against the Browns, barring any physical setbacks. Newton was a full participant in practice nine days after a two-vehicle crash left him with two fractures in his lower back. He said he was pain-free after the workout . . . Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (strained right thigh) was limited in practice . . . . . . 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh declined to address reports he is weighing an offer to coach Michigan, his alma mater.