Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions: Game Preview
Lions Passing Offense vs. Bears Pass Defense
I get that the Bears are 3rd best in the league in pass yards given up. However, they are giving up a 105.8 opponent passer rating (28th) and only have 9 sacks as a team through 5 games.
If you throw in an injured Antrel Rolle at safety, who will most likely be out, to an already weak secondary that can’t create any turnovers, it could be a long day.
I don’t care if Matthew Stafford’s been bad, he still has Calvin Johnson and I’m not sure if there’s anyone on the Bears that can match up. Lets hope the Bears don’t awake a sleeping Giant.
Advantage: LIONS
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Lions Rushing Offense vs. Bears Rush Defense
There is not another team in this league that has run the ball more pathetically than the Lions. They are dead last in the league, averaging 48.8 yards per game. Ameer Abdullah can’t hold on to the ball, Joique Bell can’t stay on the field and Theo Riddick is banged up.
The season ending injury to Bears’ DL Ego Ferguson is a huge loss to the run defense, but they won’t have to worry about it against a woeful Lions running game.
Advantage: BEARS
Special Teams
Both teams have solid kickers and punters – that’s one side of the story.
The Bears did a better job of covering kicks last week against the Chiefs, but it’s pretty pathetic when you have to hold your breath every time the Bears kick off or punt the football to their opponents. They’re still not out of the doghouse yet.
Advantage: LIONS
Coaching
This is a tough one to choose. I don’t think that Detroit is in the position they’re in because of proven winners like Jim Caldwell and Teryl Austin.
That said, there’s probably not much argument that John Fox and his crew are doing more with less at this point of the season.
Advantage: BEARS
Intangibles
These are 2 teams going in opposite directions. The Bears come into this game with confidence and momentum – something that they didn’t dream of feeling last year. Even with all of their injuries, there is a mind-set in Chicago that the “next man up” will get the job done.
The Lions are a mess right now. They can’t hold onto the football, they hand the football to the other team and they just benched their franchise quarterback last week.
About the only thing they have going for them is that they are playing at home and they’re putting themselves in a good position for the #1 pick in the NFL Draft.
Advantage: BEARS
Prediction: Bears 24, Lions 20
What do you think, Bear fans? Leave a comment and BEAR DOWN!
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