The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions both came out of week one with a lot of questions to answer from impatient fan bases.
Now they face each other in a week two game that has elevated pressure for both teams.
Detroit was expected to be ready for another deep playoff run, despite its brain drain.
The Lions are going to want to show they remain among the NFL’s elite. The Bears just want to show that they are making progress.
Either way, this is going to be a scrap.
Our experts weigh in with their spin on
what it’s going to take to win Sunday.
Sam: The Lions are going to be desperate to show last week was just a fluke and not a long-term hangover. The Bears need a win, but looking competent for four quarters might be most important. Chicago needs to establish the run, get Caleb comfortable and in a rhythm with easy throws. Detroit’s offensive line is weak in the middle as they work in a new guard and center. Gervon Dexter and Dayo Odeyingbo need to pick up where they left off.
Lester: Chicago’s pass protection was a bit leakier than they hoped in week one, so I expect them to focus a little more on the run game. Ben Johnson even talked about calling more runs in his press conference earlier this week, so controlling the clock on the road and slowing down the game should be the plan this week as they face a Detroit team looking to bounce back at home.
Gary Baugher Jr.: Taking advantage of the weak interior of the Lions’ offensive line will be a huge boon to the Bears’ defense. Jared Goff’s limited mobility, combined with pressure up the middle, will make his day extremely difficult.
On the other side of the ball, we need to get the ground game going. Kyle Monangai, or Roshon Johnson if healthy, needs to be involved in it, especially between the tackles.
Lastly, Williams Caleb needs to play more on time and be accurate doing so, too many opportunities were left on the field last week due to poor, inaccurate throws.
Donald Gooch: Stop the run. Get the run going. Protect Caleb (looking at you, Jonah Jackson). Pressure Goff – Lions o-line looks vulnerable. Don’t miss makeable field goals. Oh, and don’t get screwed by the refs.
Bryan Orenchuk: Play a clean brand of football. Emotions will be high in Ben’s return to Detroit. Much like they were opening night of the season in prime time last week at home. This time, we need to avoid the pre-snap and drive-killing penalties to have a chance. We also need our OL to get on the same page to keep the pocket clean for Caleb and open holes in the run game that weren’t there last week. Hopefully, our front 7 can keep the Lions in check on offense – if we can, we should come out on top.
Ryan: I don’t feel great about this game, given the desperation that the Lions will feel. That said, the Bears should have won in Detroit last year, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they can get it done. If the Packers/Lions game tape is any indication, there are going to be opportunities for Caleb to push the ball down the field, and he has to be more accurate than he was on MNF. The offensive line is going to have to play a lot better (here’s looking at you Dalman and Jackson). On defense, if the Bears can stop Detroit’s run game, get pressure on the QB, and force Goff to dink and dunk like he did against Green Bay, we’ll be getting that W. If not, it could be a long day.
