Detroit Lions Need To Top Chicago Bears To Avoid Last Place In NFC North
By Danny Cox
The Chicago Bears have been mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs now for a few weeks, and the Detroit Lions were also booted from contention as well. Now, both teams have salvaged a semi-decent season, but neither will have a winning record when all is said and done. All that is on the line in the season finale is being last in the NFC North and the draft position.
Season Record
Paired with identical records, the Chicago Bears are 6-9 and have lost three of their last four and four of their last six games. The thing is, three of those losses are to two playoff teams (Redskins and Vikings) and another possible one (Broncos). The Bears aren't necessarily a bad team as they've had flashes of brilliance, but not many.
Chicago Bears on Offense
Jay Cutler has not had a bad season as he's thrown for over 3,400 yards to go along with 19 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He has good targets in Alshon Jeffery, Marquess Wilson, and Martellus Bennett, but it's hard for them to really get anything going.
The running game isn't bad with Matt Forte, but rookie running back Jeremy Langford appears to be coming on more than the veteran. Langford actually has more touchdowns on the season than Forte, six to four. The Lions have a lot of weapons to keep eyes on, but the Bears don't know how to always use them.
Chicago Bears on Defense
Matthew Stafford can really exploit the secondary of the Chicago Bears with Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Lance Moore. The Bears don't force a lot of turnovers as they have just 17 on the season (eight interceptions and nine recovered fumbles. The passing came could really work well for the Lions.
The Bears do have a decent pass rush with Willie Young, Lamarr Houston, and Pernell McPhee so the offensive line will have to be on guard throughout the game.
Chicago Bears Players to Watch
Again, Jeremy Langford has all the makings of being a big-time running back in the NFL and his rookie season has proven to be a successful one. Even with backing up Forte, Langford has racked up 523 yards and six touchdowns while also gaining almost 300 receiving yards and three more touchdowns.
Defensively, Pernell McPhee is really coming about in his fifth full season in the NFL. The defensive end has made a name for himself with six sacks in his first season with the Bears. He's turning into a real leader on the field and the Lions have to already know that he is someone to watch on Sunday.
Outlook
The Detroit Lions know that a victory in the final game of the season will push them further into the middle of the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Still, they want to finish the season strong and can honestly do that quite easily against the Chicago Bears if they use all their talent to the fullest.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.