Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on December 3, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The NFC North-leading Chicago Bears will travel to Ford Field to take on the bottom-dwelling Detroit Lions in a game that should be an interesting rematch of the first game these two division rivals played this season. 

Fans will remember how the first game ended with one of the most controversial calls in the league this season (with Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson failing to maintain control of the ball throughout the touchdown catch that would have won the Lions that game).  That was as big a call as any this season.

The Bears, much maligned by problems on offense to start the season, have been on fire lately winning their last four games.  Their last win, a 31-26 victory, came at the expense of the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that many had felt was the best in the NFC.  The Lions lost to the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving Day, 45-24 after putting up a good fight in the first half.

Chicago cannot afford to have a letdown in this game.  They are in a tight race for the lead in the NFC North and need to win each and every game from here on out to keep ahead of the Packers and ensure their spot at the top of the division.  So this game will be very important for the Bears to win and they should know it.

So will Chicago be able to shut down the Lions and win this game?  Will the offensive line be able to handle the pressure that they are sure to get from Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vandenbosch?  Will they over look this game and lose?

Let’s find out in this extended game preview of the Bears versus the Lions matchup this Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.

 

When the Bears Have the Ball

What have the Bears been doing to have the kind of success that they have had on offense during the past four games?  First, they have been making wise decisions on that side of the ball.  After the bye week, offensive coordinator Mike Martz appeared to slim down the offense a bit and make it simpler for quarterback Jay Cutler to run the offense and make plays.  So far, it has worked to perfection and the Bears are winning games.

Another thing that has helped the Bears win four games has been the play of their offensive line.  Prior to the bye week, the Bears’ offensive line had been horrible.  They had allowed Cutler to get sacked over and over again and it had gotten so bad, Cutler missed a game and a half with a concussion.  

One of the biggest issues that caused those problems on the offensive line was the lack of continuity.  The coaching staff was shuffling players into the lineup left and right and there was no continuity established.  Things did get better after guard Roberto Garza got to the lineup, but the unit still has its troubles (remember the four sacks they had against the Eagles). However, they are clearly playing much better.

With the offensive line having success and giving Cutler time to throw the ball, the Bears have been able to keep the ball moving and win games.  They need to use this same formula again this Sunday against the Lions.

Detroit features two very good defensive linemen in Suh and Vandenbosch and these two have improved over the course of the season.  When these two teams first got together, it was both Suh and Vandenbosch’s first regular season game together so things weren’t going to be perfect.  Now, with a lot more experience, these guys have gotten better and could give the Bears problems on Sunday.

So, how can the Bears offense have success?  Running the ball should be a big part of what they do against Detroit.  They have had a lot of success running it with Matt Forte and should continue to do it in this game.  For the season, the Bears are averaging 102 yards on the ground per game, but that number is a little bit deceiving because of the number of long runs the Bears have had.

The Lions are letting teams gain an average of 128 yards per game on the ground, which will play right into the Bears favor.  If the Bears can keep on pounding it on the ground, then they should easily win this game.

Chicago’s passing offense has improved greatly in the past few weeks, but will be tested in Detroit.  The Lions are allowing an average of 220 yards per game, while the Bears are getting 197 yards per game passing, but they have been increasing that total over the course of their four-game winning streak, as their passing attack has seemingly found its rhythm and is finally looking good.

Look for the Bears to use the same ball control offense that they have throughout their last four wins to move the ball and score.  They shouldn’t have too difficult of a time doing this against the Lions, as long as they can neutralize Suh and Vandenbosch and keep Cutler upright.

 

When the Lions Have the Ball

Chicago’s defense has been one of the best in the NFL this season.  They have been stout against the run, allowing just 80 yards of rushing per game which is outstanding.  How do they do it?  Great play from their linebackers (all three of them including Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Pisa Tinoisamoa) along with awesome team speed and the willing ability to fly to the ball and make plays.

Another important aspect of Chicago’s success against the run has been not allowing ball carriers to get yards after contact.  You don’t see runners breaking long runs against the Bears or slipping out of tackles to pick up extra yards.  This is what has helped to make their rushing defense so special.

The Lions are getting an average of 84 yards on the ground per game, so don’t look for Detroit’s rushing attack to be a threat to the Bears defense at all on Sunday.

The Lions will be without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and his backup, Shaun Hill, on Sunday so that leaves the third string quarterback, Drew Stanton, to start.  

Stanton has seen a little action this season (with 36 pass attempts, 20 completions with one touchdown and one interception).  Will he be able to survive what the Bears defense is about to throw at him?  

Chicago’s defense has been allowing teams an average of 219 passing yards per game and this number reflects the high amount of passing teams have had to do late in the game to attempt to catch up to the Bears after they had built a lead (see the Eagles game).  On the flip side, the Lions are getting around 260 yards per game, which is great, but that’s when they had Stafford and Hill in the lineup.

So what can the Bears do to ensure that the Lions don’t have success passing the ball?  First, they need to do exactly what they have been doing in the past and put pressure on the quarterback.  They have been able get to the quarterback with just their front four, so look for them to be able to do that once again against the Lions.

The usual suspects, Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije, should have good games against the Lions’ offensive line, which has allowed 20 sacks so far this season.  The Bears’ defensive unit has collected a total of 23 sacks, but most of those have come during the last few games showing that the Bear’s rush has improved and should be pretty solid in this game.

One stat that most people may not know about is that the Lions are the highest scoring team in the NFC at home this season, so while this game may look easy for the Bears, their defense is going to have to be playing at its best to win.

 

Injury Update

Both the Bears and the Lions list the following players on their latest injury report.

 

Chicago Bears

WR Rashied Davis, shoulder. Questionable: LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, knee.

 

Detroit Lions

TE Tony Scheffler, rib. Questionable: OT Gosder Cherilus, knee. Doubtful: LB DeAndre Levy, groin. Questionable: K Jason Hanson, knee. Doubtful: WR Nate Burleson, hamstring. Questionable: QB Shaun Hill, finger. Out: RB Jahvid Best, toe. Questionable: QB Matthew Stafford, shoulder. Out: DT Corey Williams, shoulder. Probable: DE Kyle Vandenbosch, neck. Questionable: DE Cliff Avril, quadriceps.

It looks like Tinoisamoa is going to play in this game, while the Bears may allow Davis to heal up a little bit more and leave him inactive on Sunday.

It’s interesting to see who is on the Lion’s injury report.  Some of the key injuries include those injuries with Vandenbosch, Best and Williams.  It has been said that these players will indeed play on Sunday, but just how effective can they be playing with injuries?

 

Analysis

There is an important lesson for the Bears to learn from this game and that’s to not take any opponent for granted.  Chicago has to win each and every game from here on out in order to make the playoffs (barring a complete collapse by Green Bay) so winning this game will be important.  It’s a good thing that the Bears know this and don’t look to have a letdown.

Keep in mind that this isn’t the same Detroit team that everyone beat up in 2008 and 2009.  This team has gotten better on both sides of the ball and, as we saw in the first game in Week One and in many other games this season, they can compete and stick with teams to the end.The thing that the Bears have to do is not let the Lions get the lead to start. 

They have to shut the Lions down from the start because if the Lions do get a lead then they can tee off on the Bears’ offense, rush Cutler and cause a lot of problems for Chicago.  The defense has to be ready at the outset and keep the Lions pinned down from the start.

The Bear’s defense should be able to shut the Lions down and help give the Bears the win.  The offense should be able to control the ball and the clock and help this team tack another win up on the board and stay ahead of the Packers.  

Getting lazy is something that the Bears cannot do in this game.  They have to come out with a win and keep marching towards the playoffs.

 

Prediction

The Lions are in a bad situation with the injuries that they have had and still do have while the Bears are healthy and playing some of the best football in the NFL.  As long as Chicago doesn’t get lazy, you can expect them to win this game and keep their lead in the NFC North going strong.

Chicago 28 Detroit 13

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