Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions: Preview and Prediction
Published by Tyler Juranovich on September 10, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Football season is almost in full swing, and hopefully week 1 games won’t be as anti-climactic as the Saints/Vikings game. (Hartley, seriously?!)
While that wasn’t exactly the start I was hoping for, I can’t say enough how excited I am for football season. As for the Bear’s season, I can’t say i am too excited. Preseason was an awful experience. I am hoping that what happens in the preseason really doesn’t matter.
Detroit heads south to Chicago and Soldier field to start the season with a division matchup and what could be called a mild rivalry. The Lions don’t really impress anyone, but I believe they are past that winless season and are on the right track to improving their team over the next few years.
Detorit has some big talent in Matt Stafford, Kevin Smith, Jahvid Best, Calvin Johnson, and Ndamukong Suh. Their offense has way more depth than their defense, which is their major flaw, as well as the aspect that will likely keep the to four or five wins this season.
Still, on a good day, Detroit can be the sleeper that beats a heavily favored team, but will that happen this week?
Now, by no means, is Chicago heavily favored over Detroit, but it’s definitely a game the Bears should win.
Besides Suh, the Lions don’t have much of a pass rush game that would really help against a week offensive line, like the one the Bears have. With decent protection, Cutler should be able to connect to his receivers pretty easily. It’s been obvious that Cutler has very good chemistry with his receivers, and given the time, Cutler will hit his guy.
Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher are both supposed to play Sunday. That’s big news for the Bears and their defense. If it’s one thing the Bears do well it’s finding linebackers, and they have one of the best in Briggs.
It’ll be the first big test for Lovie Smith and Mike Martz. The hype has been built by the coaches that this year will be different for Chicago—that they will make the playoffs.
If that’s the case, then the Bears can’t afford to lose matches in which they are favored to win.
I would really like to pick Detroit for the upset, but I can’t get myself to do it.
Bears win 24-10.
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