Bears Blitz

Published by Jack Jones on December 3, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

This Sunday the Detroit Lions will look for revenge against the Chicago Bears when the two teams square off at Ford Field.

The Bears beat the Lions 19-14 way back in Week 1, but if you remember, Calvin Johnson had what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown catch taken away. The Lions have managed to win just two games since and come into the game off a 45-24 loss to the Patriots, their fourth straight loss.

The Bears come in off an impressive 31-26 win over the Eagles and have won four straight since their bye week. With these two teams headed in completely different directions, the current NFL odds have the Bears favored by five points over the Lions on the road.

Chicago (8-3)

It appears as though the Bears are starting to get the respect they deserve for their impressive start to the 2010 season, but a loss to Detroit would have all the doubters right back on them. The Bears are coming in off an emotional win, and they must find a way to bring that same kind of intensity on the road against a Lions team that is probably a little pissed off after what happened back in Week 1.

The Bears got a big-time performance from Jay Cutler against the Eagles last week, as Cutler completed 14 of 21 for 247 yards and a season-high four touchdowns. Cutler completed 23 of 35 for 372 yards and two touchdowns in the previous matchup against the Lions, but you always have to worry about Cutler making mistakes.

The Bears also got a big game from running back Matt Forte, who rushed for 117 yards on 14 carries. If you remember back to Week 1, Forte had 201 (151 receiving) yards of total offense and two touchdowns against the Lions.

Detroit (2-9)

Because the Lions haven’t played since last Thursday, they should be well rested and prepared for what the Bears do on both sides of the ball

But Detroit will be without backup quarterback Shaun Hill, who injured his finger against the Patriots last week. That means the Lions will have to turn to third-string quarterback Drew Stanton to lead them against arguably the best defense in the NFL.

Stanton has played sparingly in two games this season, completing 20 of 36 for 233 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bears just recently played Miami’s third-string quarterback, Tyler Thigpen, holding him to 187 yards with an interception. With Stanton at quarterback, don’t expect a big day from wideouts Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson.

The Lions come in averaging just 85 yards a game on the ground, so don’t expect Detroit to do much of anything against the Bears run defense that allows just 80.5 yards a game. Lions running back Jahvid Best had just 36 yards  of total offense against the Bears in Week 1, but he did manage to score two touchdowns.

Looking at the Odds

I actually liked the Lions to come in and possibly win this game with Hill at quarterback, but I just can’t reason taking the Lions with Stanton starting against the Bears defense.

The Lions inability to run the ball is going to allow Peppers to come after Stanton all game, and I just don’t think Stanton is ready to deliver under that kind of pressure. I say lay the five points and take the Bears.

My final score prediction is Chicago 27, Detroit 10.

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