Opponent Profile: Lions Look To Rebound Against Bears
By Chris Morgan
The Detroit Lions have hit a rough patch. After a great start to the season, they have now lost two in a row, including being throttled by the New England Patriots by a score of 34-9. However, there is no reason to panic at this point. The Lions are still 7-4, and the Cardinals and Patriots are two of the best teams in the NFL. However, they need to get back to their winning ways, or this will start being an actual concern. Detroit is on a short week, but it is for a positive reason. They are, as per usual, hosting a game this Thursday, which is Thanksgiving. Their opponent? Their divisional rival the Chicago Bears.
The Lions have yet to play the Bears, but this is a game that not only can they win, but they should win. In fact, one could go as far as to say that if they lose this game it will be a disappointment, and a blow to their playoff hopes. This is especially true since this is a divisional game, and the Lions are currently undefeated in their division. Chicago is currently 5-6, and they have won their last two games. However, those were home wins over the Minnesota Vikings and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before that, they gave up 51 and 55 points to the Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. They've given up 303 points so far this season, more points than they have scores. The Lions, by comparison, even with their loss to the Patriots, have given up 190 points, although they have only scored 197.
Basically, this game has a bit of the feel of the resistible force versus the movable object. Detroit has struggled to score, while the Bears have struggled to stop people, although in their last two games they've only given up 13 points. If they have improved, which is plausible but unlikely, that would be bad for the Lions. Matthew Stafford has, simply, been bad recently. Even with the return of Calvin Johnson, the offense has struggled, and Megatron hasn't done much. The return of Reggie Bush won't answers these problems. Stafford needs to be better, and this is the best chance he may have to turn it around. He's at home against a bad passing defense. If he doesn't pick it up now, he probably never will, and this could kill their playoff chances.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears have had some questions of their own. Jay Cutler has struggled a bit, but he still has Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Matt Forte at his disposal. Those are real weapons. However, Cutler has issues with turnovers, and the Bears have had questions around the offensive line. Last week, the Lions couldn't get to Tom Brady. They should get to Cutler, and they need to. In the past, they have made the days long for Cutler, and they should be able to do that again.
Detroit has lost a couple games in a row, but when Thanksgiving rolls around, the Lions will be back at home, and back playing an inferior opponent. This is an opportunity they can really take advantage of. Now, they just have to handle their business.
For more Lions news and updates, visit Lions Central.
Chris Morgan has been a diehard Detroit Lions fan through the good (Barry Sanders) and the bad (Matt Millen) and that love has led him to take jobs writing about sports, including as a fantasy sports "expert." His work can be found on Examiner.com. .