3 matchups that point to the Chicago Bears upsetting the Detroit Lions

2. The Detroit Lions could struggle against the Chicago Bears' heavier looks 

The Detroit Lions are a team that has a better-than-expected pass defense. The main reason is that they are equipped to defend the run while playing against 11-personnel looks. It is because they have heavy linebackers who do not require extra bodies.

However, this can bite the Lions. When teams go heavy against them, and they have to bring in extra linebackers, they are not good in the passing game. 

The Lions rank 22nd in EPA against 12-personnel and 25th against 13-personnel. That is two and three tight ends, respectively. They also rank 30th against 21-personnel, which is two running backs and one tight end. 

If the Chicago Bears can get Khari Blasingame back, they rank 8th in EPA when they have a second back on the field, and that would be a mismatch against the Lions.

Still, this has to mean big games not only from Cole Kmet but also from Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis. These two both had their snaps increase after the Chase Claypool trade.

When the Seahawks scored 37 against Detroit, Noah Fant had 56 yards, Colby Parkinson had 41 yards, and Will Dissly had 35. When the Ravens scored 38 against Detroit, Mark Andrews had 65 yards and two touchdowns, but Patrick Ricard added 36 yards in the passing game. These teams ran their tight ends and fullbacks out there and beat the Lions. The Bears have the personnel to do this.