The Chicago Bears take to the street to battle the Detroit Lions, seeking to lastly win back-to-back video games. Listed below are gamers who may assist that trigger.
The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers final week. That implies that head coach Matt Eberflus has his sixth alternative to win back-to-back video games, one thing that has but to occur throughout his tenure. Moreover, he has an opportunity to win a division recreation, which he additionally has but to do.
With the win, the Bears now have three for the season. That matches what they’d final season. They’ve a possibility to surpass that win complete of their subsequent seven video games. That might be troublesome, nevertheless. They face a Lions workforce that’s 7-2 twice within the subsequent three video games. In between these video games, they face the 6-4 Minnesota Vikings.
The Lions are flying excessive offensively. They rank sixth in factors scored and second in complete yards. They play effectively each in passing in addition to working the ball. The revamped Chicago Bears protection will definitely be examined.
On protection, the Lions usually are not as formidable. Opposing groups can cross on them. They offer up a mean of 231.5 passing yards per recreation. Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers put up 323 yards final week. The Bears may have possibilities at making performs downfield on this secondary.
For the Bears to have an opportunity to win, sure gamers have to step up. Listed below are 5 of them who may try this.
Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson was in the course of a contract dispute with the workforce. He thought he would have a brand new contract early within the season, however on the commerce deadline, he nonetheless had nothing finished.
Consequently, he requested a commerce. Basic supervisor Ryan Poles granted his request and allowed him to search for a commerce accomplice. Poles didn’t obtain any presents he felt have been truthful so no commerce occurred. Johnson then acknowledged that he would finish all negotiations till after the season.
Johnson is an enormous a part of this protection. He sticks to receivers like glue and opposing quarterbacks are likely to keep away from throwing to him. For the season, quarterbacks common simply 8.8 yards per completion and 5.4 yards per try. They’ve a paltry passer ranking of 61.5 when focusing on him. Additionally, he has two interceptions.
It is a good recreation for Johnson to point out his price. He desires to be paid as one of many high cornerbacks within the NFL so he has to have an enormous recreation in opposition to one of many high offenses within the league.
Johnson will possible be the primary participant masking Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown has 821 receiving yards so this might be a very good matchup. Just a few weeks in the past, he matched up with Davante Adams and did effectively masking him. He even received a pick-six on a goal to him.
If Johnson has an enormous recreation this Sunday, it would go an extended solution to serving to him hit an enormous payday this offseason.
Cole Kmet, Tight Finish
The tight finish is the quarterback’s safety blanket. He offers an enormous goal who may make an enormous play, particularly within the purple zone. Cole Kmet has been simply that this season.
Kmet has 419 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has been an amazing check-down for whoever is at quarterback. He has a catch proportion of 80.7 p.c so he’s very reliable. He does a very good job blocking as effectively, so he can faux a block after which fireplace out.
The Detroit protection can be involved with D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Tyler Scott. The Lions don’t need these receivers to make performs deep downfield. That can open up house beneath for Kmet. He’ll get some alternatives to make massive performs. He has to reap the benefits of that and punish the Lions’ protection.
Andrew Billings, Defensive Lineman
The Chicago Bears’ run protection has had a revival. In 2022, it ranked thirty first in yards, final in speeding touchdowns, and twenty seventh in common yards per carry. This season, nevertheless, the rankings are 2nd in yards, third in speeding touchdowns, and first in common yards per carry.
The unit can be examined by the Lions. Detroit has David Montgomery, who performed for the Bears till final season. He’s having an excellent season. Regardless of lacking three video games he nonetheless is on tempo to have a career-high in yards. He leads the NFL in speeding yards per recreation.
The Bears definitely wish to shut Montgomery down. They may bear in mind his phrases after he left city. He criticized the workforce’s shedding tradition.
That (shedding) was all I used to be used to. And it received to some extent the place it sucked the enjoyable out of the sport for me as a result of I’m a competitor. I prefer to compete. That’s what soccer’s about. It’s so refreshing to be in a spot the place that’s appreciated.
In the meantime, his former teammates lauded him. That is what Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson mentioned when he had an enormous recreation in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Them simply feeding him the ball and him simply being DMo, it was nice… I positively assist him.
He’s a canine. He’s a canine,
Andrew Billings, together with Gervon Dexter and Justin Jones, have finished a very good job of clogging up the center of the defensive position. Final season, groups ran proper up the intestine at will. That isn’t occurring now.
Billings has finished such a very good job the Bears determined to increase his contract. Will probably be nice to look at the Bears attempt to shut down and shut up their former teammate.
D’Onta Foreman, Operating Again
One of many largest boosts rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent had when he was taking part in was the play of working again D’Onta Foreman. With an efficient working recreation behind him, Bagent may consider simply managing the sport and attempting to not make errors.
Now that Justin Fields is again to start out once more, having Foreman play effectively could be massive. Foreman’s working takes some strain off of Fields. If the protection has to account for Foreman, then Fields may have house to throw downfield. If he may do that we are going to then see the distinction between having Bagent and Fields begin.
Foreman himself is taking part in in aid of a starter. Khalil Herbert missed the final 5 video games with an damage. He’s getting nearer to coming again however that gained’t occur this week. Moreover, rookie Roschon Johnson was out as a result of a concussion. He has returned however doesn’t look the identical.
Foreman may have a tricky go of it, although. The Lions rank third in speeding yards allowed. Nonetheless, they solely rank sixteenth in speeding touchdowns allowed so if the Bears get into the purple zone Foreman can gobble up some touchdowns. With him taking part in effectively, Fields can be extra snug and the offense might be significantly better.
Justin Fields, Quarterback
Fields is coming again after lacking 4 video games. He suffered a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand so gripping the ball was an issue.
Within the time he was out, Bagent did a fairly good job of main the offense. He did so effectively that many followers really feel that the Bears ought to half methods with him and decide a quarterback with one in all their two first-round picks.
Now that Fields is again, he wants to point out that he’s the proper man to steer this offense. He has a seven-game audition. That audition is both to point out he ought to keep or present that he could be a good pickup for an additional workforce.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has to have Fields run greater than he has. He has had some success working in opposition to the Lions. In three video games, he has 288 speeding yards and a pair of touchdowns. He averages 11.1 yards per carry.
Fields additionally has to reap the benefits of the Lions’ secondary and cross rush. Along with their secondary struggles, Detroit’s cross rush is suspect. they rank twenty second in sacks this season. Chicago’s offensive line is wholesome once more and taking part in effectively so in the event that they do their job and Fields performs decisively and confidently, the Bears have an opportunity at an upset.
Keep in mind, final season the Lions have been within the place the Bears are this season. They have been 2-6 and down two touchdowns within the fourth quarter. They got here again and gained the sport. That jump-started their season. They went 7-2 and practically made the playoffs.
Now the Bears can hope they get a signature win and play effectively down the stretch.
