“OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before!” – Lou Brown (Major League)
Truer words have not been spoken as your Chicago Bears are on the verge of a winning streak. After beating the Raiders at home, the Bears followed up with another win at Arrowhead Stadium against the Chiefs. Thanks to an injury to one of the NFL’s best running backs and Jay Cutler saving the day with 2 late TD passes, the Bears pulled out an improbable victory.
Two in a row!
Now the Bears take to the road again, but this time it is in the division. The lowly winless Lions play host to the Bears this weekend after they had their butts handed to them by the Arizona Cardinals. The 42 – 17 score makes the game actually seem closer than it actually was after the Cardinals had a 28 – 7 lead at halftime.
If Bears fans believe that they will see the Lions start Dan Orlovsky start for Detroit, they will be sadly mistaken. Even though quarterback Matthew Stafford was benched last week, it doesn’t mean head coach Jim Caldwell will stick with Orlovsky. The Lions appear to have a dynamic offense on paper but Stafford hasn’t been able to find his rhythm which has Detroit ranked 30th in PPG.
To say that Stafford has put up pedestrian numbers would be an insult to pedestrians. Stafford has a 64.6% completion rate, is averaging 234 YPG and has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (6) through 5 weeks of the season. The offense has only scored more than 18 points once this season and has given the ball to the opposing team a league leading 15 times.
Fuzzy math might be the “New school” but that is 3 giveaways per game.
In turn, the Bears defense led by Pernell McPhee, is 3rd in the league in passing by only giving up 186 YPG and 4th in the league in total defense with only giving up 304 YPG. It is clear that DC Vic Fangio has improved the Bears defense each week even though this team is lacking in talent.
Even though the defense is making stride in the right direction, that Bears offense is still suspect as injuries at the wide receiver position have hampered an explosive passing game. OC Adam Gase appears to have gotten thru to Cutler at some level because he has a 2:1 touchdown to interception ration without Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal or Kevin White.
When the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions get together, the game is decided on one factor… which overpaid quarterback will screw up the most. In this case, with the Lions looking towards 2016 and Matthew Stafford playing uninspired, the Lions should fold up shop without much resistance if the Bears can put points on the board early. Turnovers should be plentiful and the team that commits the least will prevail as these two teams fight for last place in the NFC North.
Bears Lions Notes & Predictions
Key Matchup: Jay Cutler vs. Matthew Stafford
Key Injuries: WR Alshon Jeffery (Questionable), LB Shea McClellin (Doubtful), Eddie Royal (Questionable)
Fact: Detroit has the most registered bowlers in the United States
Fantasy Spotlight: RB Ameer Abdullah
Spread: Lions -3
Prediction: Bears 24, Lions 18
@WesEvans24