Bears vs Lions: 5 Keys to Victory for Chicago
Published by Timothy Hockemeyer on October 6, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
After returning to .500 on the wheels of the running game against Carolina, Chicago faces yet another daunting task Monday night, as the Bears enter the Lion’s Den for the first Monday night game in Detroit since 2001.
Previously a game that would have been considered just another win while scrolling down the Bears schedule, the Lions are roaring and are one of only two undefeated teams left in the league, along with fellow NFC North residents Green Bay.
The Bears haven’t lost a game to the Lions since dropping both contests to Detroit in 2007.
Entering Monday’s contest, the Lions are ranked second in the league in offense and eighth in defense, while the Bears come in at 13th and 20th, respectively.
While on paper the game looks to be lopsided, it should also be noted that the Bears played the most grueling September schedule in the league, facing Atlanta, New Orleans and Green Bay before dealing with the upstart Panthers and their dynamic rookie quarterback. Meanwhile, the Lions have feasted on the Bucs, Chiefs, Vikings and Cowboys.
But that doesn’t mean the Lions haven’t earned their place at the top of the NFC North. They showed enormous character in taking advantage of meltdowns by the Vikings and Cowboys to come back from 20- and 24-point deficits in consecutive weeks.
And Calvin Johnson is blowing the league up. He has scored two touchdowns in every game this season and is showing no signs of slowing his pace. He might just be the best football player in the league right now, and if voting occurred today, he would have to be a shoo in for league MVP. How Ryan Fitzpatrick won the offensive player of the month award for September is beyond me.
Where the Lions have really stepped it up is defensively, though. Where in the past the team was always able to score points but never able to stop other teams from scoring more, the Lions are now playing good defensive football. Two interceptions for touchdowns last week against the Cowboys were the catalyst for the Lions’ come-from-behind victory.
So what do the Bears have to do to slow this Hawaiian blue juggernaut? Follow me as we look at the things Chicago will have to do if they are to hand the Lions their first defeat.
