 |
| Receiver Calvin Johnson will match up against Bears CB Charles Tillman in a key battle Monday. (US Presswire) |
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago (grass, outdoors)
When: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Bears by 6
Forecast: Cloudy, 78 percent chance of rain. Expected temperature at kickoff: 63 degrees.
Records: Lions (Overall: 2-3, NFC North: 0-1); Bears (Overall: 4-1, NFC North 0-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings –- Nov. 13, 2011: Bears 37, Lions 13; Oct. 10, 2011: Lions 24, Bears 13. Series record: Chicago holds a 94-65-5 advantage in the series. The Lions are 1-4 against the Bears on Monday Night Football.
What matters: Jim Schwartz –- who rarely uses superlatives when describing his team’s effort -– called the Lions’ performance against the Eagles in Week 6 his team's best effort of the season. The impact of that win will be lessened, however, if Schwartz’ team doesn’t follow it up with a solid performance against the Bears in Monday’s key NFC North clash.
To win, coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense must find a way to do something it has done only once in five previous games this season -- score a first-half touchdown. If Detroit can’t score early, it could be in for a long night in an environment that doesn’t lend itself to the quick-strike attack the Lions normally run.
The Lions’ defense was dominant against the run in Week 6, and it must repeat that feat against the Bears’ Matt Forte. Forte’s true dual-threat capability –- he’s one of just three Bears to gain more than 4,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards in his career –- will put the onus on Detroit’s defensive ends and outside linebackers to keep him between the tackles. If the defense can limit Forte’s impact, it will allow the Lions to focus on another key to a victory -- sacking Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler as often as they can.
Who matters: The D-line’s ability to pressure Cutler is important, but it has help in the form of safety Louis Delmas. Delmas’ return to the lineup in Week 6 took the Lions’ defensive intensity to new heights, and his presence over the middle clearly impacted Michael Vick’s ability to find receivers in space. His field vision also allowed him to obtain the position needed to make Detroit’s first interception of the season –- a feat defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham would love him to repeat Monday night.
Lions running backs Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell combined for just 108 rushing yards against the Eagles, but their five-yard-per-carry average was essential to Detroit’s eventual comeback. The team’s renewed commitment to the run game hasn’t translated to a 50-50 split between run and pass plays, but if Leshoure and Bell can capitalize on the 30-40 percent of offensive snaps typically devoted to the running game, it will make life easier for Matthew Stafford against the Bears’ pass rush.
Key matchups
- Bears WR Brandon Marshall vs. CB Chris Houston: Marshall’s offseason arrival gave the offense the big-play threat it was missing. Through five games, he ranks third among NFC North receivers in total yards. Marshall’s size and strength will be a stern challenge for Houston, but the unquestioned leader of the Lions’ cornerback corps says he’s been prepared to face Marshall by practicing against Calvin Johnson. “Johnson and Marshall like to do some of the same physical things off the line,” Houston said. "Practicing against [Johnson] helps me understand some of the things that Marshall will try to do.” If Houston can limit Marshall’s effectiveness, it will allow Detroit’s fast-paced D-line the time it needs to reach Cutler in the pocket.
- Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs. CB Charles Tillman: When Johnson was asked what facing Charles Tillman was like, he smiled and said, “It’s two All-Pro guys [facing each other]. It’s a battle.” If Johnson can win the battle early, it will go a long way toward helping the Lions establish themselves in a difficult road environment. Johnson has had difficulty getting open looks in the first half this season. He had just one catch on five targets in the first half against the Eagles, compared with five catches on eight second-half throws. He needs to use his size and physical presence to repeat his Week 6 second half effort for the entire game –- and perhaps catch his first touchdown of the season –= for the offense to be successful.
- Lions O-line vs. pass rush: Stafford has been injured in two of his three previous trips to Soldier Field, so limiting Chicago’s pass rush has been a primary focus of Detroit’s offensive preparations. The Lions will likely continue to use rookie Riley Reiff as a sixth offensive lineman in key situations to control the Bears’ edge rushers. Reiff has worked on both ends of the line this season, but don’t be surprised to see him spend most of his time alongside Jeff Backus in an attempt to control Bears DE Julius Peppers, who has had success against Backus in previous meetings.
Injuries of note: Here is the Lions' injury report for Monday’s game: Out -- CB Jacob Lacey (concussion). Doubtful -- CB Bill Bentley (shoulder). Questionable: DT Corey Williams (knee). Probable -- DE Cliff Avril (back), TE Brandon Pettigrew (knee), LB Stephen Tulloch (knee), WR Titus Young (knee), S Louis Delmas (knee) and DE Ronnell Lewis (eye). Based on previous use of those injury distinctions, it’s likely that Bentley won’t be available against the Bears. If that’s the case, look for newly re-signed corner Alphonso Smith to get significant playing time.
Inside stuff: Don’t be surprised if rookie CB Jonte Green sees significant playing time –- or possibly gets his first career start -- against the Bears. He struggled in training camp, but has rebounded following extra work with secondary coach Tim Walton. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said Friday he’s confident in Green’s ability to handle any aspect of the Lions game plan against Chicago. He had a pair of key defensive stops against the Eagles in Week 6, and teammates say his confidence was boosted by the effort.
Connections: The Lions will face a former head coach for the second consecutive week Monday. Bears assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was the final head coach hired by former Lions GM Matt Millen. His three-year tenure in Detroit ended after he led the team to the NFL’s only winless 16-game season in 2008.
Stat you should know: Despite the injury issues the defense has faced this season, it enters Monday’s game ranked ninth in the league in total defense. The Lions are allowing an average of 324 yards per game, an improvement of more than 40 yards compared to the 367 yards per game Detroit allowed on average last season.
Looking ahead: The Lions host the Seahawks in Week 8 before going to Jacksonville in Week 9.
Prediction: Bears 24, Lions 16
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSLions and @JohnKreger.
