Key Matchup: Chicago Bears Defense Against Detroit Lions Tight Ends
Published by Jake Perper on October 8, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears travel to Detroit to take on the 4-0 Lions on Monday Night Football.
Lions WR Calvin Johnson has caught two touchdowns in each of the Lions first four games. Eight touchdowns through four games is an NFL record, and it’s an impressive one at that.
Obviously, matching up the right corners with Calvin Johnson will be important for the Bears defense, but the Bears have been getting torched by opposing tight ends so far this season.
Tight ends have averaged more than six catches per game against the Bears this season for an average of 82 yards and a touchdown. They have also averaged 12.6 yards per catch.
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez reeled in five catches for 72 yards in Week 1 and Saints tight end Jimmy Graham grabbed six catches for 79 yards in Week 2.
Packers tight end Jermichael Finley caught seven passes for three touchdowns in Week 3. Last week, Panthers tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen combined for seven catches for 91 yards and one touchdown.
Clearly, shutting down the tight ends will be key this week. Lions tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler are very solid and the Bears better be ready for them.
Pettigrew ranks second in the NFL among tight ends with 93 receptions over the last two seasons. Pettigrew has 22 receptions for 240 yards so far this season. Scheffler has added three receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
They could be the most athletic tight end tandem in the NFL.
The Bears will have to key in on the tight ends on Monday night. Like mentioned above, Calvin Johnson will have to be contained, but these tight ends might be the weapons the Lions will be able to use the most on Monday.
Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs haven’t been great against the tight ends, and that could be the reason opposing tight ends are having such great success against them.
Safeties Chris Harris and Brandon Meriweather will need to step up as well, when matched up with Pettigrew or Scheffler. Look for the Bears defense to try to come out strong to start this game.
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