Mongo_76
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Thinking back to pre-season, if you would have told me that we’d have a chance to be .500 by playing a Lions team that was 0-5, I wouldn’t have believed you. One thing no one here can argue is that the players are playing hard under the leadership of the current coaches. And that – all by itself – is reason to be happy as a fan.
It’s also good to see that the stars and leaders on the field on offense and defense have stepped up. On offense, Forte continues to be the Stalwart, leading by example. On defense, McPhee has been beasting - and setting a solid example for the younger players to follow. Currently he’s tied for 23rd in the NFL with 3 sacks. The D is 3rd in the NFL in pass yards allowed, and 4th in total yards. It’s also worth noting we’re 6th in the NFL in 1st downs allowed with only 18.2 per game.
While this team still lacks talent and depth across the board, it’s not a stretch to say that we’re playing like a better “team” this year than we did last.
Now, we have to take this all with a grain of salt. Winning 2 in a row is great. But we have to consider the caliber of the opponents we faced (weak) and also realize that we needed last minute drives in each to win.
With that, here’s what I’m focusing on this week:
1) Bears Run D vs the Lions Running game –
The Bears run defense is giving up ~120 yards per game. Good for 9th worst in the NFL. Now, some of that had to do with having a rookie playing the nose. And some of that has to do with the fact that Shame is just a crappy Mike. However, as noted above, we’ve also been playing from behind a lot this season so you’d expect that other teams were running more to preserve their leads. So what’s the cure? The Lions. They’re averaging a pathetic 48 yards per game on a 2.8 YPC average.
The math is pretty simple. Stop their run game early, force them to be one-dimensional and Stafford to throw, pick him off, win the game… Sound about right to most of you?
Edge: Bears
2) Our Secondary vs Stafford –
The Bears have faced several decent passing attacks this year (Cardinals, Raiders, Packers and even the Chiefs are all averaging at least 230 YPG.) We’ve held all 5 teams to well below their season average.
Honestly, other than the Bears and Cubs winning last weekend, the only thing that made me really happy was hearing Stafford got benched because he threw yet another pick. With that said, our secondary still doesn’t have a pick on the season. Something has to give this weekend – and honestly, I think it’s going to be our no-INT streak that will end. For a rookie, Amos has been playing great. And Fuller, for as bad as he looked early in the year, hasn’t been “horrible”. I am really looking for one of them to get in on the pick-6 parade this week.
Edge: Bears
3) Good Jay vs Bad Jay -
For 3 quarters (and change) last week, Bad Jay was running the show. He had a very pedestrian 152 yards on a ~50% completion ratio. His accuracy was bad, his timing was off, and his ability to convert key 3rd down passes was limited. He also had one of his patented fumble-6’s. Then, with about 7 or 8 minutes to go, Good Jay took over. He played about as well as I’ve ever seen him play. With the help of a roughing the passer and a phantom PI, Jay was able to drive the field twice, passing for 100 yards and toss two TD’s.
We need Good Jay for more than 7 minutes this week.
Edge: Even
4) Bears Offensive Line vs the Refs -
The Bears Oline has committed a league leading 14 penalties in 5 games. With younger guys stepping in due to the injuries to Montgomery and Bushrod, and with Long moving over to RT and having a very sub-par Ducasse at RG, some of that is to be expected.
Last week, a ST penalty (that cost us 23 yards), followed by a false start put our backs against our goal line and helped in leading to Jay's fumble 6. This can't happen.
Over the last few years, the Bears Oline has been averaging about 3 penalties per game in Detroit. Would be really nice to see a good penalty free game from them.
Edge: NA
5) Bushrod (or Leno) vs Ezekiel Ansah -
Ansah leads the NFL with 5 sacks on the year. He also has a Forced Fumble and a FR to go along with 6 TFL’s. Bushrod has cleared medical for his concusion. He still has a shoulder issue so he’s definitely not going to be 100%. Leno played decently – (not great, but better than I thought he would) last week against Hali. (2 Tackles, no sacks and a hand full of pressures). Keeping Jay upright in the pocket has got to be our #1 priority.
One thing we know about Jay, if he gets his bell rung early, he generally becomes shell shocked.
Edge: Lions
6) Hroniss Grasu vs Haloti Ngata –
The battle of the funky names… Grasu was the turnstile last week that allowed Jay to get pummeled in the endzone. But after that, he settled down and played, well, decent. This week he goes up against Ngata. Ngata is well past his prime, and in truth, really isn’t dominating the position.
He’s got a calf injury and has been limited all week (didn’t practice Wed)
Even still, if he’s playing, he’ll be ready. He’s strong, experienced and will be looking to take it to a rookie.
Edge: Even
7) Pernell McPhee vs LaAdrian Waddle –
Pernell McPhee has never sacked Matt Stafford. That needs to change… Plain and simple; McPhee is playing near pro-bowl level. LaAdrian Waddle is an Undrafted FA in his 3rd year who really doesn’t look good this year. He had a knee issue earlier this year and still doesn’t look 100%.
Keeping this one short, McPhee needs to (and should) destroy this matchup.
Edge: Bears
8) Calvin Johnson vs Kyle Fuller (Tracy Porter?) -
Tate doesn’t scare me and never has. The only real weapon I think the Lions really have is Calvin Johnson – and his numbers look like crap this year. Fuller was torched by Johnson last year putting up 250 yards on 17 catches.
I don’t think we’re going to lose this week. But if we do, it will be this matchup that will be key.
Whether it’s Fuller or Porter playing across from Johnson, shutting him down is vital – and I really don’t see us as having the advantage.
Edge: Lions
9) Matt Forte vs the Lions Run D –
Forte leads the NFL in yards rushing, and is second in total yards from scrimmage. He is also #2 on the team in receptions. The Lions run defense is 6th worst in the NFL (27th overall) allowing 127 yards per game.
With our receiving crew still banged up, let Royal and Alshon rest another couple weeks and give the ball to one of the best RB’s to put on a Bears jersey.
Edge: Bears
10) Others -
There are other players to key on: LaRoy Reynold filling in for Shame. DeAndry Levy has been out of practice this week, does he make the field? Which buffoon blows out his knee this year celebrating (Houston or Tulloch)? Will we see Kyle Fuller one-on-one with his brother Corey?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/chicago-b...laps-ball-out-of-brother-Corey-Fuller-s-hands
I’ve got Bears 29, Lions 13.
Go Bears!
