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Bears vs Lions; Nuts and Bolts...............
Chicago Bears Report
Week 8 Nuts & Bolts: Bears vs. Lions
October, 21, 2012 Oct 21
9:00
AM CT
By Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
CHICAGO BEARS vs. DETROIT LIONS
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday | TV: ESPN, locally: WCIU-TV
RADIO: 780 AM, WBBM & 105.9 FM; WLEY (107.9 FM) 
Dennis Wierzbicki/US PresswireTwo stellar defensive lines face off on Monday led by the Bears' Julius Peppers and the Lions' Ndamukong Suh.
CHICAGO BEARS (4-1)
Coach: Lovie Smith | Record including playoffs: 75-58
Career record (including playoffs) vs. Jim Schwartz: | 5-1 Career record vs. Lions:11-5
Last week: Idle
Key stat: The Bears have scored five touchdowns on returns in 2012, including four TDs in the past two games. But the last time they faced the Lions, the Bears put points on the board with all three phases with a Devin Hester 82-yard punt return, two defensive touchdowns (not to mention six takeaways) and offense.
Offense rank: 20th (346.2 ypg) | Defense rank: third (291.2 ypg).
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AP Photo/LM OteroBrandon Marshall is on a record-setting pace for a Bears receiver.
Offensive leader: Receiver Brandon Marshall averages seven catches per game and 99.2 yards receiving, which ranks as the highest average in franchise history. If Marshall keeps up the pace, he'll shatter the single-season franchise receiving record while recording a career-high 1,587 yards. With three 100-yard receiving games, Marshall is already tied for ninth in franchise history.
Defensive leader: Defensive end Julius Peppers has been a sheer terror to the Lions and averages more than a sack per outing against them. In eight games against the Lions, Peppers has posted 10 sacks while forcing five fumbles. In the 2010 opener, Peppers knocked Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford out of the game with a shoulder injury.
STREAKS
• Jay Cutler remains undefeated (24-0) when he finishes a game with a passer rating of 100 or better.
• If Marshall gains 85 receiving yards against the Lions, he'll have the most yards through the first six games in franchise history.
• Matt Forte needs one more 100-yard rushing performance to tie Neal Anderson (14) for the third most in franchise history.
• Lance Briggs needs one more INT return for a TD to move into a tie with Bobby Bell and Derrick Brooks for the most in NFL history by a linebacker.
DETROIT LIONS (2-3)
Coach: Jim Schwartz | Record: 20-34
Career head-to-head record vs. Smith: 1-5 | Career record vs. Bears: 1-5
Last week: Defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 26-23 in overtime.
Key stat: The Lions entered Week 6 as one of just three teams to hold top-10 rankings in offense and defense. In three of five games, Detroit has held offenses to fewer than 80 yards rushing, and the Lions have given up just eight total touchdowns, with one coming on the ground and seven through the air.
Offense rank: Second (419.6 ypg) | Defense rank: Ninth (324 ypg).
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AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastLions QB Matthew Stafford has just four touchdown passes this season.
Offensive leader: Stafford ranked in the top five of all six major passing categories in 2011, joining Drew Brees and Tom Brady as the only other quarterbacks to accomplish that feat last season. In a contest in which he tossed his franchise-record third game-winning touchdown pass against the Eagles, Stafford posted a 106.3 passer rating in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Defensive leader: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has generated just 2½ sacks this season, but he's been a disruptive force teamed with DE Cliff Avril, DT Nick Fairley and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. Suh is tied for the most sacks by a defensive tackles over the past three years (16½).
STREAKS
• Detroit's 73 fourth-quarter points ranks as the second most in the NFL. The Lions lead the league in total offense in the fourth quarter (947 yards), passing yards (790), completions and is also tied for the most passing touchdowns (6).
• Calvin Johnson needs 69 yards receiving to tie Johnnie Morton (6,499 yards) for second in franchise history.
• OT Jeff Backus has started 181 consecutive regular season games, and his streak for starts ranks No. 3 among active players and sixth since 1970 among lineme
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 think this gives us a pretty clear idea about the keys to winning this game.
1) Look for Pep to have a big game. It's pretty apparent that in the past Pep has one most of his matchups against Jeff Backus. His plantar fascitis has obviously been bothering him but with a weeks rest he should be primed for a big game. Look for Melton and Paea to be difference makers this week as well.
2) Cutler is one of the best QBs in the NFL when he has time to throw and his track record when he posts better than a 100 QB rating proves that. So it boils down to the exact thing we all know and discuss weekly. Give him time to find his guys and throw and his picks go down, TDs go up and his QB rating sky rockets. We've got the best QB we've ever had and all we need to do is protect him and we win games behind him. So "get 'er dun"!
I think it's that simple. We get pressure on Stafford so he can't complete passes to his "aircraft carrier" and we protect Jay so he can connect with his and we win the game. This is the first time we've ever been able to match up with them big WR vs big WR and strong armed QB vs strong armed QB.
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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Member
I agree with ya Soul. I also expect big games from Hester & Forte. I also think turnovers (as always) are a big key. If we force 4-5 TOs then run we win big! No TOs & this game is very close.
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Cutler seems to do best when he doesn't try to do too much, too early. Get the run game going early if possible. Let Jay hit some easy high-percentage passes to get warmed up, and his confidence going early. Then we'll have "Good Jay" all night.
I feel like the ONLY thing that can beat us is if "Bad Jay, The Pick Monster" rears his ugly head in this game.
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 10-22-2012 at 09:26 AM.
Trestman - Kromer - Tucker - DeCamillis
I'm looking forward to seeing these guys coach. Hope they're good.
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Originally Posted by
soulman 
Chicago Bears Report STREAKS
•
Jay Cutler remains undefeated (24-0) when he finishes a game with a passer rating of 100 or better.
• If Marshall gains 85 receiving yards against the Lions, he'll have the most yards through the first six games in franchise history.
•
Matt Forte needs one more 100-yard rushing performance to tie
Neal Anderson (14) for the third most in franchise history.
•
Lance Briggs needs one more INT return for a TD to move into a tie with Bobby Bell and
Derrick Brooks for the most in NFL history by a linebacker.
Cutler is already became the #2 all time Bears QB this year. Double pick-6s by the same two guys two weeks in a row - never been done before. A historic year in the making, folks. Let's enjoy it, and Go Bears!
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Member
A great scene: seeing Stafford with a facemask full of grass.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Junior Member
Originally Posted by
Zelezo Vlk A great scene: seeing Stafford with a facemask full of grass.
Twice! :)
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