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Bears vs Lions; The Keys to the Game........
Bears-Lions: Keys to the game
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com October 9, 2011 11:12PM
Updated: October 9, 2011 11:22PM
WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
Inthe air:
Jay Cutler has a career 112.0 passer rating vs. the Lions (9 TDs, 1 INT), including games of 108.3 and 117.0 in 2010. But since completing 21 of 26 passes for 234 yards and 1 TD in a 24-20 win Dec. 5 at Ford Field, Cutler has completed 52.6 percent (151-for-287) with 13 TDs and 11 INTs. Opposing quarterbacks have a 74.5 rating vs. the Lions (5th in the NFL) — a big improvement from 2010 (89.2, 23rd). The Lions’ pass rush forces QBs to get rid of the ball quickly, and the Bears haven’t been very good at that, except for screens to Matt Forte. RBs are averaging 4.7 yards per carry vs. the Lions.
Key matchup: Bears RB Lance Louis vs. Lions DT Ndamukong Suh. Suh is a relentless force who is destructive as a run stopper and pass rusher. It’s hard to run away from him, so he has to be blocked. Chris Spencer has a broken hand, so Lance Louis or Edwin Williams might get the call at RG.
On the ground:
The Bears have a chance to prove last week’s dominant run game against the Panthers (31 carries, 224 yards, 2 TDs) wasn’t a fluke. On the road, in a dome and with a still-formative offensive line that needs the rhythm of a consistent running attack, the Bears must establish the run against a defense that has allowed 113 rush yards per game (20th in the NFL entering the week). Matt Forte (60-324, 5.4) rushed for 64 yards and 1 TD on 13 carries at Ford Field in 2010. Marion Barber struggled on inside runs vs. the Lions last year (13-36) but had a key 24-yard run in a Cowboys victory.
WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL
In the air:
You give a talented QB like Matthew Stafford time to throw and a big target in Calvin Johnson, and he’s tough to beat. Stafford is seventh in the NFL with a 100.3 rating (11 TDs, 3 INTs), including an Aaron Rodgers-like 124.2 (7 TDs, 0 INTs) in the second half. The 6-5 Johnson (24-321, 8 TDs) has 2 TD catches in each game. Johnson had 7 catches for 111 yards and a 46-yard TD vs. the Bears last year. The Lions will take what you give them, though. TE Brandon Pettigrew had 11 catches and Jahvid Best a 60-yard catch vs. the Vikings. Nate Burleson had 7 catches vs. the Chiefs. Key matchup: Bears DT Julius Peppers vs. Lions OL Jeff Backus The struggling Bears defense needs to step it up, and that starts with Peppers, who has been contained since his big game vs. the Falcons. Backus, an 11-year veteran, held DeMarcus Ware without a sack last week.
On the ground:
Second-year RB Jahvid Best (60-190, 3.2, 1 TD) hasn’t been effective, but he’s good enough to give the Bears trouble if they let him — like on his 45-yard run in the final minute at Ford Field last year. The Lions, with Keiland Willams (15-42) and Jerome Harrison (14-41) supporting Best, are 23rd in yards (74.5) and 29th in yards per carry (3.0). This normally would be a given for the Bears, but their run defense has been surprisingly subpar. They’re 23rd in yards (124) and 28th in yards per carry (5.1). QB Matthew Stafford is no threat (4 carries, minus-1), or shouldn’t be, anyway.
X-FACTOR
This is a tough spot for the Bears — “Monday Night Football,” a road game in a domed stadium against a 4-0 opponent — but it’s new territory for the Lions. They haven’t been 4-0 since 1980. They haven’t been on MNF since 2001 (a 35-0 loss to the Rams). This is a team that had lost 47 of 52 games when the Bears beat them in Ford Field last December. The Lions can build on the momentum, but they also can crumble under the pressure of higher expectations.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bears got back in the groove on special teams against the Panthers with Devin Hester’s 69-yard punt-return TD and 73-yard KO return and a blocked FG. At 41, Jason Hanson has kicked out of the end zone only once in 26 deep KOs, so Hester and/or Johnny Knox could have opportunities. The Lions are 29th in KO coverage (33.4 yards per return). Stefan Logan is dangerous but hasn’t broken one yet. His long KO return is 28 yards. His long punt return is 20.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we need to control the TOP and score TD's in the red zone, not FG's. If Stafford has the ball in his hands too much there is no way the defense can stop he and Calvin Johnson from destroying us. Read the article by Matt Bowen in the Trib. I posted it in the thread about Harris' return. As he points out, "there is no game plan against those two". It's up to the safties to contain them as much as possible.
If we can get a decent rush on Stafford and if the safeties can play real physical tonight there's a good chanced we can limit the damage but there's no way to stop it. I'm glad we've got Chris Harris back for this game. Between he and Meriweather maybe we can shake up their receivers enough to slow down their passing game.
Once again this week it's all about controling the clock by keeping the ball on the ground as much as possible and being able to consistenly move downfield with that and short passes. If Martz regresses into that desperation downfield passing game of his were cooked. Even if we score it won't be enough. We can't beat them in a shootout.
Last edited by soulman; 10-10-2011 at 11:35 AM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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A few random thoughts:
1. With the crowd noise that's to be expected in a dome, Martz really needs to simplify the pre-snap shifting BS. Sometimes you need to just whip your junk out on the table and see who's is the biggest. This is one of those times IMO.
2. From what I've seen of the Lions offensive line, I'm not impressed. In fact, I think they suck. Don't be simple-minded and get caught up in sack stats. They've been getting the ball out quickly for the last couple of years. When they want to go deep though, make Stafford pay. I'm thinking Peppers is going to have a game against Backus.
3. Speaking of getting the ball out quickly, do it Martz. Do it more often than not. Find a way to get these sub-par WRs open quickly.
4. If you want to go deeper, a good way to extend pass plays and buy yourself time is to move the pocket... aww who am I kidding, that won't happen. That's football 101, not cute enough for Martz.
Last edited by Butka; 10-10-2011 at 11:39 AM.
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High Fives / Like - 4 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Butka 
A few random thoughts:
1. With the crowd noise that's to be expected in a dome, Martz really needs to simplify the pre-snap shifting BS. Sometimes you need to just whip your junk out on the table and see who's is the biggest. This is one of those times IMO.
2. From what I've seen of the Lions offensive line, I'm not impressed. In fact, I think they suck. Don't be simple-minded and get caught up in sack stats. They've been getting the ball out quickly for the last couple of years. When they want to go deep though, make Stafford pay. I'm thinking Peppers is going to have a game against Backus.
3. Speaking of getting the ball out quickly, do it Martz. Do it more often than not. Find a way to get these sub-par WRs open quickly.
4. If you want to go deeper, a good way to extend pass plays and buy yourself time is to move the pocket... aww who am I kidding, that won't happen. That's football 101, not cute enough for Martz.
That's the tie breaker after two overtimes. 
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
Butka A few random thoughts:
1. With the crowd noise that's to be expected in a dome, Martz really needs to simplify the pre-snap shifting BS. Sometimes you need to just whip your junk out on the table and see who's is the biggest. This is one of those times IMO.
2. From what I've seen of the Lions offensive line, I'm not impressed. In fact, I think they suck. Don't be simple-minded and get caught up in sack stats. They've been getting the ball out quickly for the last couple of years. When they want to go deep though, make Stafford pay. I'm thinking Peppers is going to have a game against Backus.
3. Speaking of getting the ball out quickly, do it Martz. Do it more often than not. Find a way to get these sub-par WRs open quickly.
4. If you want to go deeper, a good way to extend pass plays and buy yourself time is to move the pocket... aww who am I kidding, that won't happen. That's football 101, not cute enough for Martz.
And now for a more serious response.
You hit the nail squarely on the head brother. With the Oline and WR we have this group screams WCO of some sort and that's why Martz is 180 degrees opposite of what we needed for an OC when we hired him. If we weren't going to go to the trouble of getting personnel who could thrive in his offense then why hire him in the first place? Just another of Lovie "good old boy" hires?
Running Hester and Sanz on quick slants against man coverage and a variety of crossing routes combined with a vertical is what these guys can do well. Bennett is more the master of getting open in the seams of the zones and Knox can usually find some openings downfield. If we had a passing game built around the strengths of these guys rather than trying to fit them in where they don't fit we'd at least have some kind of consistent passing game.
The rollouts, play action and a moving pocket are such obvious needs behind this line that ignoring it just proves how arrogant and set in his ways Mike Martz is. He isn't and never will be the right OC for this team without an overhaul of the entire offense.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I agree with your points butka
to add to it what we need to do on defense is disrupt every stafford pass with a dominant pass rush that shouldnt be difficult against this team. Another thing I would like seeing is since we have two hard hitting safeties to rattle the Lions wrs. Maybe we can get them to start alligator arm some passes.
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Originally Posted by
motownbear I agree with your points butka
to add to it what we need to do on defense is disrupt every stafford pass with a dominant pass rush that shouldnt be difficult against this team. Another thing I would like seeing is since we have two hard hitting safeties to rattle the Lions wrs. Maybe we can get them to start alligator arm some passes.
You going to the game mo?
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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yup at work right now and going straight to the game after. Its going to be a crazy ass atmosphere people are already talegating right now
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Originally Posted by
motownbear yup at work right now and going straight to the game after. Its going to be a crazy ass atmosphere people are already talegating right now
Don't get in a brawl. The last youtube I saw of fans in Detroit would make a person wanna wear kevlar.
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
motownbear yup at work right now and going straight to the game after. Its going to be a crazy ass atmosphere people are already talegating right now
Give 'em some mojo while you're there. Tonight's a must win game. We always struggle with them at Detroit but Cutler has been carving them up these last few years. Should be interesting if nothing else.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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