Chicago Bears Vs. Detroit Lions - Game Preview
The powers that be must be a Detroit fan or just extremely sympathetic to their plight because for the second straight year we go in with a defense that is banged up in all the wrong spots.
The Bears come to Ford Field to face the desperate Detroit Lions. Desperate for their first win in the post-Matt Millen era, deperate to get their first win in the division and desperate to get their first win period.
Us Vs. Them - Defense
Detroit as a team isn't doing much right, but the one thing they are doing is finding receivers Calvin Johnson and Roy Willaims. CJ and Williams standing at 6' 5" and 6' 3" respectively come at Chicago's secondary at the worst possible time. Starting, best and biggest CB Charles Tillman's status is still up in the air. He is listed as Questionable on the injury report. Number 2 CB, Nathan Vasher is already out for the game after having minor surgery. This potentially leaves a pair of youngsters to take on the potent pass catching duo. Corey Graham and Trumaine McBride stand at 6' 0" and 5' 9" and have 4 years of experience between them. Graham has been coming on strong and after a strong camp has been stealing some time from Vasher in specific situations. Graham has the ability to be a good player. Our problem is McBride who is vastly undersized to take on either receiver.
To combat this area of weakness the Bears need to find their pass rush and find it fast. They need to mimic the game they played in Indy. If the Bears defense can bring enough pressure to force Kitna to get rid of the ball early and not give time for his receivers time to get down field, it will be the key to a Bears victory. I would expect to see more of safety Mike Brown and LBs Urlacher and Briggs coming in. If Peanut can't go, this also hurts our pass rush as he is an exceptional at the corner blitz.

Us VS. Them - Offense
The suddenly surging Bears offense will get their easiest test to date. The Lions are are near bottom of every major statistical category and when I say near bottom I mean they are bottom in every one but one. The are 32nd in the league in points allowed, rush yards allowed and overall yards allowed. It gets better in passing yards allowed, but not by much as they are 22nd.
So far this year Matt Forte has lined up against the 31st, 12th, 19th and 1st ranked defenses in the league and is ranked 6th in the league. Against the Colts (31st) he tallied around 150 yards. Forte should have a field day both from a rush stand point and passing. It would also be nice to see the Bears work Kevin Jones in more to see what he might have for his old team in a little revenge running.
The Bears receivers are a bit banged up as well and the status of receivers Brandon Lloyd (doubtful) and Marty Booker (probable) is still up in the air. This is the one game that may not be a horrible thing. With Forte and tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen, the Bears should be able to keep the Lions defense on the ropes and keep their offense off the field.
Other News and Notes:
Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher now have their own websites.
Be sure to get your FF lineups set. Bye weeks are CLE, NYG, OAK and STL.
This is a pretty cool article on Matt Forte and how grounded and dedicated he is.
Comments
I think we will win
But I thought that last year both times we faced Detroit. I have kind of a nagging feeling that this could end up a disappointment.
Fire Ron Turner!!!
Fire Angelo!!
by GallopingGhost on
Oct 3, 2008 12:55 PM CDT
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Is It A Distinct Possibility
That we see Marcus Hamilton lining up at Cornerback on Sunday? With Vasher out and Tillman still not participating in practice through Thursdays, could we see Graham and Hamilton? Or could we see McBride make another start in Detroit like his 1st career start there last season?
by Bear_Down on
Oct 3, 2008 1:01 PM CDT
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If Tillman and Vasher are out
the Bears have already said it would be Graham and McBride. I don’t now where that puts us as far as backups and the nickel. The Bears are very high on Graham right now and if he could lock down or control CJ that would go a long way and I think you would see him get more time and eat up some more of Vasher’s time.
Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!
by WCG on
Oct 3, 2008 1:11 PM CDT
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I wouldn't mind seeing what Hamilton can do.
Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!
by WCG on
Oct 3, 2008 1:13 PM CDT
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if its a blowout
then i would like to see hamilton go in… until then i want to see the current guys we have perform.
it doesnt look like both vasher and tillman will be out. they are listed as questionable right now and had limited participation at practice today so lets keep our fingers crossed on that one.
and did anyone hear about chris williams? he had full participation in practice today and is listed as questionable….. we just might seem him sooner than originally thought….maybe vs. the falcons????
by rahulsriram on
Oct 3, 2008 7:45 PM CDT
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Or Could We
See Danieal Manning start at CB like in the past?
by Bear_Down on
Oct 3, 2008 1:06 PM CDT
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I think we will play a lot of nickel with Manning in and alot of zone if tillman does not play either. Detroit’s poor ground game will allow that but we must get pressure from our front four th relieve the pressure on the cb’s. Our DLine is due for a breakout game..
by tfrabotta on
Oct 3, 2008 1:36 PM CDT
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The Bears better win
This has been an awful sports week. :-(
There's magic in the ivy...
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Oct 3, 2008 3:34 PM CDT
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The Bears would have to win their next 15 games
To wake me up of out of the coma I’m about to fall into.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
by SackMan on
Oct 3, 2008 3:54 PM CDT
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One day at a time
At least in football we’re guaranteed to get a hit. Can’t say the same for my beloved baseball team.
There's magic in the ivy...
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Oct 3, 2008 4:03 PM CDT
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They better be playing baseball on Sunday.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
by SackMan on
Oct 3, 2008 5:02 PM CDT
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lol
But wouldn’t a pair of wins on Sunday totally rock?
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on
Oct 4, 2008 11:04 AM CDT
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halfbling, you have to be on the game threads on Sunday!
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
by ChiFan13 on
Oct 3, 2008 5:46 PM CDT
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I will be
Not risking it this time around.
Sometimes even hope isn't enough...
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Oct 3, 2008 6:19 PM CDT
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we have a good chance
if the bears just play with there heads up and give forte some lanes, they should have a good day
They are who we thought they were
by Hester18 on
Oct 3, 2008 4:15 PM CDT
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chew up that clock, boys
Looks like the ground game will be critical here, and with Harris out, time for the other DLineman to step up. How about Dusty for a few sacks? Maybe Ogunlye?
by Waylon on
Oct 4, 2008 10:15 AM CDT
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hmm
non existent d line pressure, possible conerback shakeup, two great lion wide receivers and high expectations?
this one could be frustrating.
by mike b on
Oct 4, 2008 4:00 PM CDT
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And a horrible quarterback for the Lions?
I think we’ll be ok.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
by ChiFan13 on
Oct 4, 2008 7:05 PM CDT
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