Three Keys Against the Lions: Defense

by Steven Schweickert on Nov 12, 2011 11:01 AM CST in Notes

Well, at least this time, #44 can't get lost in the pile and spring for a touchdown.

1) Can the Improved Safety Play Hold Up?

The last time these two faced off, Chris Harris was coming back from injury to "save the secondary"... and proceeded to have what might be called a "not good" game, getting sucked into the scrum as Jahvid Best darted off towards the end zone. Chris Conte has since moved into the starting lineup and held his own, but can that continue? It'll need to, but there is hope - positionally, the safeties have been a little more solid and haven't let many guys behind them.

With Best out, the likelihood of the 88-yard run isn't as likely, but the safeties will need to help over the top - the Lions have some guy you might have heard of named Calvin Johnson...

2) Is Calvin Johnson slowing down this year?

Last time we played, the Lions' stud was on a 2-TD-per-game pace and playing out of his mind. Since then, he's caught two touchdowns in three games. Yeah, I know, if that's considered "slowing down" then I'll take that every week. Last time Johnson had one of his best games against the Bears, but over Johnson's eight games against Chicago, the Bears have held Megatron to an average line of 4.8 receptions, 76.8 yards and half a touchdown (4 in his career against the Bears). For comparison against division foes, the Packers have allowed 8 TDs to him in 7 games, and the Vikings have allowed 6 in their eight contests, with roughly the same receptions. He's good, but historically, the Bears have been able to hold him from getting into the end zone.

3) Lions Having An Underrated Season

By this I'll point to two people - tight end Brandon Pettigrew and Titus Young. The Lions throw the ball a LOT - they have as many receptions (185) as carries (187), and Pettigrew is really picking up as a second option with 41 receptions for 360 yards and 2 TDs. Couple that with the Bears' reluctance to acknowledge the existence of other teams' tight ends and you can bet he'll be an option for Detroit for a chunk of the game. The other, Young, is the Lions' draft pick who currently has 19 receptions for a 14.5 yards-per-rec, which is second on the team behind Johnson's 17.1. With the Lions having to rely on Maurice Morris in the running game, expect them to throw more, which means more looks to these two.

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Comments

I think we’ll be a lot better, than we were a month ago. Without Best, Lions have to rely on whatever they have at RB, we stop that and make them one dimensional, we win the game. As long Megatron and Petigrew don’t run wild in the back field. It is going to be all about those two on Sunday, of course if our DL gets to Stafford, it negates the rest of the issue presented .

by transylvanian bear on Nov 12, 2011 11:23 AM CST reply actions

So you think we should stop the pass?

I would agree, and all three can get done with a nice little pass rush.
my key number 4) Git all up in dey face!

How does one sign this thing? Do I use that stylus thingy that the kids have for they're silly do-hickies?

by Strategyfan on Nov 12, 2011 11:25 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, gee, I don't have any idea what would have given you that impression.

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by Steven Schweickert on Nov 12, 2011 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

Uhuh, I really do not want CJ and Petigrew in the end zone.

by transylvanian bear on Nov 12, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

Off topic, But i saw you're relativityly new.

Welcome to the Best Bears sight on the web.

Prov 6: 21 - 22

by Cutler6fan8 on Nov 12, 2011 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

too strategyfan, that is.

Prov 6: 21 - 22

by Cutler6fan8 on Nov 12, 2011 12:46 PM CST up reply actions

The bears have the opportunity to humiliate the Lions this game

If the Bears D can maintain the discipline to handle their specific assignments and not freelance, the lions are definitely going to give us opportunties to get some interceptions. I’m sure Peanut will be looking to punch out a ball or two, maybe Megatron’s. The tackling is looking better coming out of the bye week. Hopefully Meriweather can deliver some hard clean hits (i.e hits that don’t earn fines/penalties) and not do anything too stupid. I would also like to see some of the other Bears D-lineman step up more consistantly and make their presence known because Peppers is doing his best on a bad wheel but could use more help, and in the process perhaps give the O-coordinators in the upcoming games some headaches in game planning.

by dicksingletary on Nov 12, 2011 1:39 PM CST reply actions

mother nature will help stop CJ & Stafford

Sunday: Windy. Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of light showers. Highs in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph at times.

by Mike Mueller on Nov 12, 2011 3:25 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions