ALLEN PARK — It was adjustment time when the Lions coaching staff heard early Wednesday night that quarterback Jimmy Clausen would be starting for the Bears instead of Jay Cutler on Sunday in Chicago.

“We had a chance to take a look at him, there’s always still a question of whether they’ll do the same things they’ve been doing with him,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said on Thursday morning. “There’s certainly a bit of an unknown there. There’s enough tape of him in preseason and things of that nature to get a good look at him.’’

VIDEO: JIM CALDWELL ON CLAUSEN

Clausen played in three preseason games for the Bears with two touchdowns and one interception in limited play. He’s played garbage time — the Bears were too far behind for a comeback — in three regular season games and was 3 of 9 passing for 42 yards and a 49.3 quarterback rating.

Cutler was benched amid a host of problems including the fact he’s thrown 18 interceptions and the Bears are 5-9.

“Cutler is a little different guy, he’s a pretty incredible QB in terms of athleticism, ability and those kinds of things. He has experience,’’ Caldwell said. “Clausen is very capable though.’’

The Lions need a win on Sunday to clinch a playoff berth.

Caldwell said the Lions will not take Clausen lightly. The Lions have lost games to two backup quarterbacks this season — Cardinals’ Drew Stanton and Buffalo’s Kyle Orton.

Prior to this season Clausen had not played for three seasons while with the Carolina Panthers.

As a rookie in 2010 he started 10 games for the Panthers going 1-9.

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