Week 4 Preview: Lions (1-2) @ Bears (2-1)
by Dane Noble on Oct 2, 2009 11:51 AM CDT
42 comments
The Chicago Bears will be looking for the first win over a division opponent this week, while the Lions will be flying high after snapping their 19 game losing streak dating back to 2007. Chicago defensive line coach/ assistant head coach Rod Marinelli will be facing his former team for the first time. Kickoff will be Sunday at noon Central Time at Soldier Field.
Week 3 Recap
Last week had to be a bittersweet win for Detroit, as their win over the Redskins came in front of the smallest crowd at their home field in 20 years, and with the game being blacked out on television. Nonetheless, owner William Clay Ford says the win was like getting King Kong off their back, and hoping that the win "gets us over that hump and gives us a winning attitude." The Lions set the tone in that game early, stopping the Redskins in the first quarter on a 4th and 1 goal line stand, which set up a 99 yards TD drive. The Lions never trailed in that game, and Matt Stafford looked like the QB the Lions hoped he would be after drafting him #1 overall in this past April's draft.
The Bears got a win of their own last week as well, having traveled to Seattle for what ended up being a much tougher contest than anticipated with the Seahawks. But, after having virtually zero offensive rhythm early in the game, Jay Cutler and company put together a couple of late game drives, and came out with a well earned victory. Cutler ended the day 21/27 for 247 yards and 3 TDs, while Devin Hester and Earl Bennett combined for 9 catches for 156 yards. Matt Forte also had over 100 yards of total offense.
Key Match Ups for Week 4
The Bears defense has definitely shown a bend but don't break pattern this season, and this could end up allowing Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson to develop a good rhythm in the passing game. The Bears have provided a pretty good pass rush this season, but short passes (screens, quick slants, etc) could easily offset any pass rush we may generate against the Lions. Johnson is dangerous when he gets the ball, so Chicago will really have to do a good job of tackling to keep from getting beat by the talented WR.
On the other side of the football, Detroit ranks 30th in the league for passing yards allowed per game (278.7) but 16th in rushing yards allowed (111.3). With Chicago's running game not nearly as effective as last season, we should see a good passing attack at Soldier Field Sunday. Will we get off the bus running? We might, but look for early and often play-action passes from Cutler. The Lions only have one player with more than one sack, and that is from defensive end Jason Hunter, with 2 sacks. Chris Williams should have his hands full this week against the 6'4, 271 lb defensive lineman.
Injury updates for both teams will be coming soon.
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I'll stop short...
…of saying that I would trade our lone victory in 21 months, but I would almost certainly accept a forfeit to the Bears if Louis Delmas were allowed to kick Coach Magoo (aka Rod Maranelli) square in the Gonads. Even that guys picture pisses me off!
Personally, I’d be terrified of bringing any part of an 0-16 team in to my locker room…let alone the maestro of that dreadful orchestra. I’ve been meaning to come on here for a while to ask, and I guess what better time than before the Lions – Bears matchup, but what have the Chicago faithful thought of their new defensive line/assistant head coach so far?
by Mushy on Oct 2, 2009 12:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
he's made our D-Line
visibly more effective
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 2, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love what he's done for the team
Mark Anderson is a new man.
by jake1823 on Oct 2, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Attitude, discipline and energy.
I completely excuse any Lion’s fans (and your) animosity towards him… 0 – 16 is awful.
That being said, Marinelli has been everything I hoped he’d be. D-line has been very good and much improved over what we’d seen out of them over the past couple of years. And I’ll echoe what jake1823 said about Mark Anderson… new man.
by rdent4hof on Oct 2, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marinelli
Marinelli may have been a bad head coach, but it was for an awful team. Before taking the doomed position in Hockeytown, he was thought to be a top-notch D-line coach. He still is. Just because he didn’t fare well as a head coach, does not make him a bad addition to the Bears – he clearly has the defense playing better, even without Grr-lacher in the middle.
by Fire Ron Turner on Oct 2, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marinelli wasn't the reason why Detroit was 0-16 last year
The Lions have one of the worst owners in the NFL – and before he got fired, Matt Millen was probably the worst front office guy in the league.
Marinelli is the main reason why the Bears are tied for 4th in the league in sacks right now. I think the performance of our d-line this year speaks for itself. The pass defense has gone from 30th last year to 8th in 2009… Overall, we’ve jumped from something like 21st to 12th.
by JimmyMack on Oct 2, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correction.
Marinelli wasn’t the LONE reason the team was 0-16. I promise you he helped them acheive that record.
The results certainly do appear to be there for you guys so far this season, the D-Line looked like a wall against the Lions on Sunday and they got tons of pressure on Stafford…often with just rushing the front four.
For Detroit, unfortunately, this is just like adding insult to injury. You may or may not realize this, but Maranelli kept 11…yes ELEVEN…D-lineman on the active roster last year for the Lions. This unit that made up over 20% of the roster, contributed to one of the worst defenses the NFL has ever seen. This is after Maranelli insisted on getting Shaun Rogers off their roster and convinced Millen to franchise tag Corey Redding.
by Mushy on Oct 5, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
“even that guys picture pisses me off!”
i have also enjoyed watching a considerable improvement in the d line play this year.
by reefermadness3 on Oct 2, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Head Coaching
Is a whole different ball game from being a position coach. He’s definitely great at coaching the d line.
by Da Sassage on Oct 2, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta agree..
Our D line hasn’t looked this good since 2006, whatever he did, it worked..though we haven’t seen much from anderson yet..I guess he just isn’t meant to be a head coach(though he did not have much help higher up or under him), but he’s still an amazing d-line coach.
by Pretender85 on Oct 3, 2009 3:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blame the organization
Even HOF coaches would’ve had a difficult time winning under those intolerable conditions in Detroit. Millen will go down as one of the worst GMs in NFL history, and the Fords, well they will be considered one of the worst owners in recent memory (not that the McCaskeys are much better).
Also, I’ll reinterate the fact that coaching an entire team is a huge jump from being a position coach. We’ve already seen a huge jump in production in all facets of the Bears defense, and it is directly attributed to Rod’s mentoring and Lovie’s play calling.
"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet
by propheteer on Oct 3, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh don't get me wrong...
…there is plenty of blame around Lions nation for both management and ownership! Maranelli doesn’t get a chance to coach the Lions without Millen bringing him in.
by Mushy on Oct 5, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Howdy Bears fans once again!
You guys and girls (honeybear), are still a bit off center when it comes to Marinera sauce, like almost everyone at the POD is saying about him, as a position coach he’s good, but the reason your teams D-line is doing so good as compared to the last fw years is HEALTH, your D-line wasn’t all that bad last year or the year before, prior to the injury bug hitting your line. Your line is still healthy and you have depth at those positions, if you guys/girls think he’s so awsome why isn’t he the D cordinator, it’s not like him and Lovie don’t have a huge past together. The answer is because Lovie knows what he can and can’t do, unlik one Mr.Ford Sr. and one certain GM that is un-nameable in Michigan or to any Lions fan!
by davis0169 on Oct 9, 2009 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Chicago.
Not for the drubbing you gave us in the second half of that game, but I really did appreciate the feedback. The sentiment around Detroit was often that Maranelli would have made a fine position coach, but he was a disaster as a head coach. By the end of his time here most people were furious with him, not so much for the losing, but for the way he responded to the losing.
It’s tough to explain the relationship that Maranelli had with the fans and media, without having been present for it, but just imagine this:
1) The Bears lose a game. Not the end of the World (although if Chicago is like any other REAL NFL fanbase, it seems like the end to some), but the loss is certainly analyzed.
2) The Bears lose a few more games, you’re 0-4. Fans are visibly and understandably irratable. Now you want answers, now you want changes. Your head coach keep spewing off cliches about working hard, practicing well, and some nonsense about shovels and picks and how sharp his tools are.
3) Its Turkey Day, your team just got done playing it’s lone Nationally Televised game and embarassment does not even begin to describe how they played. You can hardly enjoy your sweet potatoes because you feel sick to your stomach after watching near record breaking performances by two different running backs in the same game. Coach Magoo is now claiming it’s 100% his fault, but he’s not going to change a thing. He’s going to work harder and that will fix everything. You’re still winless and panic is starting to set in.
4) The record is in site, losses are just piling up and the team has only been competitive in two games as you’re rolling in to the last couple weeks of the season. Every press conference is the same, coach is not answering questions but instead just keep responding in robot-like fashion that it’s his fault, he’s to blame, the team is practicing well, no changes are necessary, and he wouldn’t do anything different. Add in some nonsense about pad level, explosion plays, and fits and you have every single comment that your head coach has muttered in explanation of being 0-14.
5) The record is ours…scratch that…it’s his. Coach Magoo has accepted responsibility but refuses to acknowledge how bad it was, never mind apologizing to the fans. He does one last press conference after being released. I want to praise him for his willingness to speak after being fired, but he just continues with the nonsense. He still stubbornly refuses to acknowledge any of the real problems and again offers no remorse for how poorly his team performed.
Again, Rod was not solely responsible for 0-16…that kind of record takes teamwork. He will always be the face of that record though, and since he was so willing to accept all the responsibility for it…I for one am willing to let him have it.
by Mushy on Oct 5, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mushy I second that notion!
And it doesn’t have to be Delmas, it could be anyone from the D side of the ball.
by davis0169 on Oct 9, 2009 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bears 34 - Lions 17
Defense causes 4 sacks, 1 INT, and alot of preasure on Stafford.
Hester or Knox run one back for a TD(wishful thinking, but hey why not?)
Unreasonable people make life difficult...
by WisBearsFan34 on Oct 2, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bears 35 - Lions 6
2 INT, 3 Sacks, 2 Safeties
1 FG by Gould
Lions, 2/4 on FG
67 yds rushing
199 yds passing
Forte
89 yds rushing 1 TD, 26 yds receiving
Cutler 284 yds, 3 TDs
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 2, 2009 2:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't bet on it...
That is the Lions missing 2 FG’s…
I don’t think the odds of three straight opponents missing 2 FG’s is realistic. But I could be wrong:-)
Unreasonable people make life difficult...
by WisBearsFan34 on Oct 2, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love
how two safeties is totally acceptable though… true wisdom, held only by Bears fans ;)
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 2, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know they got thier first win...
But hey they’re still the Lions :-)
Unreasonable people make life difficult...
by WisBearsFan34 on Oct 2, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh absolutely
i’m just saying, if we can get two safeties, they can miss FGs… or maybe one is blocked
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 2, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bears 129- Lions -7
12 Touchdowns, 3 safeties.
Lions score -7 for pretending to be an NFL Franchise.
You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
by Ditkavsworld on Oct 2, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry 17 touchdowns and 5 safeties.
That’s why you don’t do math in public.
You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
by Ditkavsworld on Oct 2, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i did it before
when talking about TD predictions for Cutler on the year… oh yeah, i got my card pulled for that one.
Ditka picked the Bears… so you know we’re golden
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 2, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well I learned my lesson today
and you know what they say….
You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
by Ditkavsworld on Oct 2, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
(5 minutes later...)
HAHAHAHAHAHA. Now I get it. WRECK!
Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...
by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 2, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now, make it green.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
by Just Dave on Oct 2, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"...in front of the smallest crowd at Ford Field in 20 years"
They’ve been playing football at Ford Field for 20 years? It seems fiscally wasteful to build football stadiums that transcend time.
by krcampbell on Oct 2, 2009 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
uh, it says "home" field
not Ford Field…
by Fire Ron Turner on Oct 2, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It had said “Ford Field” previously, looks like it was just changed
by krcampbell on Oct 2, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bears 24, Lions21...
I am not worried that the Bears could get caught in a trap game. I do not think the Lions have enough talent/emotion left to beat the Bears. But the Bears are not getting ahead and staying ahead of even bad teams. It always seems like the Bears have to pull out miracles every week. I wouldn’t be surprised if Forte ran for 145 yds and 2 TDs and Cutler only threw for 205yds and 1TD (maybe to Olsen). I see this being a Gould FG at the end after the Bears are up 21-7 t o begin the 4th and give up 2 late TDs to give the Lions some hope and then do enough to get into FG range.
I am still pissed off about the O-line and I cannot figure out what they are doing wrong. It looks like (to my unprofessional eyes) each O-line guys is simply getting muscled out of position. It’s not being beaten by a move or speed, but just physically manhandled. Nonetheless…this will be an unconvincing win..but still a win.
There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
by LostInSTL on Oct 2, 2009 9:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Forte,
Here’s your chance to show us you’re not Benson or A-Train or Enis etc.
by Big Ike on Oct 2, 2009 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
lions 0, bears -8
whooooooo! Well washington bailed Detroit out again last week, but im not so sure our secondary outside of delmas is up to the task. I do predict a tough day for chicago rbs though, as we have been surprising in that regard (see game vs vikings).
Maybe, just once, someone will call me "sir" without adding, "you're making a scene."
by HireMattMillen on Oct 3, 2009 4:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
haha
sry for gif, I rly do love this blog i swears, by far the most hilarious and informative. Now wheres Smudgers at?
Maybe, just once, someone will call me "sir" without adding, "you're making a scene."
by HireMattMillen on Oct 3, 2009 4:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Timmmmaaayyyy!
I hope you didn’t come back from that third world country you were visiting just to watch this game? Not that your not accustomed to the third world lifestyle, being from Detroit and all. ;)
I’m really not into trash talking before a game, but how about this… just for you! The only way Detroit scores, is if your guys are allowed to start the game 15 minutes before the Bears.
On a serious note, life at SG has changed a bunch over the past couple weeks. I’ll have to call you about it later and fill you in.
-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox
by smudgers on Oct 3, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So to spark some debate here, I went looknig
and sure enough, some real gems i found over at Prideof Detroit
Most notably, intelligent comments like this:
dont know if I agree that the Bears are that much better than the Redskins. I would say they’re about equal to the Redskins.
Are the Bears better than the Vikings? I seriously doubt it, and we also dominated them
Really? from the Lions fans? after one win, they get to talk about Bears quality of football
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 3, 2009 4:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
and yes we are better than the Vikings
to say any less, would be un-Bear of you
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
by BearNecessities on Oct 3, 2009 4:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
The first post is completely moronic, as it has nothing concrete to support such a stupid thought.
"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet
by propheteer on Oct 3, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
easily better than the skins
We have a quarterback, makes us much better right there. Hell, we even traded away a better quarterback than Washington has.
by SaintCee on Oct 4, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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