Opponent Profile: Chicago Bears On A Hot Streak As Detroit Lions Are Desperate For A Win
By Danny Cox
The Detroit Lions are sitting in a 0-5 hole that is seeming almost impossible to climb out of, and it may very well be. The Chicago Bears are not quite in the same situation, and that's due to picking up a big victory on the road over the Kansas City Chiefs this past weekend.
It was a huge victory for them and one that showed there is still a lot of promise in this team that started off 2015 so badly. The bad news for the Lions is that the Bears may have just found their stride in time for their upcoming game.
Season Record
After defeating the Chiefs, the Bears are 2-3 and on a two-game winning streak that started with a win over the Oakland Raiders. It's not like the Bears lost to bad teams since they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks. After getting shut out by the Seahawks though, something woke up inside of them and they're now on a tear.
Chicago Bears on Offense
Jay Cutler is playing better and he brought the Bears a big win over the Chiefs on Sunday. There doesn't appear to be a primary target for him as the ball is spread around to Martellus Bennett, Marquess Wilson, Matt Forte, Eddie Royal, and others. It actually seems as if Alshon Jeffery may finally be healthy enough to play again, and that's even worse news for the Lions.
Speaking of Forte, he isn't having a bad season on the ground, but he's their only rushing threat. If the Lions can contain him, then the focus can be put primarily on stopping the pass.
Chicago Bears on Defense
Defensively, the Bears are quite weak and the Lions have the firepower to exploit it. No, the Lions don't have a running game at all, but Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate can easily get the best of Chicago's secondary. The main thing is giving whomever is in at quarterback the time to throw the ball to them.
Chicago allows a lot of points...a lot of them, even in their victories. Detroit has to find a way to get up early and keep their foot on the gas without letting up. That way will be through the air.
Chicago Bears Players to Watch
If Alshon Jeffery returns from injury, then he is who the Lions have to focus on. Jeffery has been out since playing in week one, and he's been listed as day-to-day recently. The number-one wide receiving threat for the Bears could make his return against the Lions, and that is not a good thing.
On the defensive side of things, Matthew Stafford and/or Dan Orlovsky need to know where Jarvis Jenkins and Pernell McPhee are at all times. They are the number-one pass rushing threats for the Bears and they'll be in the backfield before anyone knows it, and it's not like the Lions quarterbacks need to be beaten up even more.
Outlook
This is going to be one of the best chances the Detroit Lions have of getting a victory as their upcoming schedule is not so easy. A victory over the Chicago Bears is not out of the question, but Jay Cutler has them on a hot streak and they are going to want to continue it. Detroit is desperate and needs to get that first win before the tough schedule really arrives.
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.
