The Chicago Bears are seeing their NFC North division rivals going through it after potentially losing one of their key defenders for the season.
Sources tell NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport that Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch is feared to have torn his Achilles and could be out for the season after getting hurt in their 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. Branch is expected to undergo further tests to assess the extent of the injury and when he might return next year.
In 12 games, Branch has racked up 75 tackles, nine pass deflections, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He was a Pro Bowler last year and finished fifth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting back in 2023.
Bears might have just picked up a massive advantage in Week 18
The last time Branch and the Lions played the Bears, it was a total Detroit domination as they routed Chicago 52-21. Branch had six tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, one sack, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
While the Lions are still finding ways to win, sitting at 8-5, this is a much different team from Week 2, as are the Bears. Detroit has suffered multiple key injuries, including tight end Sam LaPorta.
Chicago is also very different as the Bears were 0-2 after that Week 2 showdown. The Bears have won nine of the last 10 games and are now in first place in the NFC North and the NFC.
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That Week 18 matchup might be looking a lot different from the Week 2 game, but both teams should be going in with the opportunity to make the postseason, so there will be plenty to play for if the Bears want it badly enough.