3 Matchups to watch in Lions Vs Bears
The last time the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions played each other, the Lions won 41-10. That dominant victory by the Lions happened last season when the Bears were missing quarterback Justin Fields and had no defense. Entering their matchup this Sunday, Justin Fields will be returning from a thumb injury for the Bears. The Bears also have a more talented defense than they did last season.
However, the Lions are also a significantly better team than they were when they slapped the Bears 41-10. Currently, the Lions are eighth in the league in passing offense and seventh in the league in running offense. Defensively, they are 16th in the league at stopping the pass and second in the league in stopping the run. If the 7-2 record is not convincing enough that the Lions are a good team, these stats sure are.
Here are these three key matchups for the Bears against the Lions.
1. D.J. Moore Vs the Lions secondary
Photo Credit: Carolina Panthers
Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore has been a thorn in the side of Lions defenses. Dating back to his time with the Panthers, Moore has 19 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns in three games. In two of those three games, Moore surpassed 100 receiving yards.
While that is impressive, he is going up against a much improved Lions secondary. This Lions’ secondary has playmakers like rookie cornerback Brian Branch and veteran cornerbacks Jerry Jacobs and Cameron Sutton. Sutton will most likely be matched up with Moore so it will be fun watching who can get the best of who.
2. David Montgomery Vs Bears run defense
Photo Credit: Jeff Nguyen/ Detroit Lions Via AP
This past offseason, the Bears opted not to resign running back David Montgomery after four seasons with the team. During Montgomery’s time in Chicago, he had one 1,000-yard rushing season and averaged four or more yards a carry twice. However, he was a touchdown machine for the Bears, scoring 25 of them in four seasons. His productivity must have caught the Lions because they signed him to a three year deal. That means the Bears will have to face Montgomery twice a year for the next three seasons. The first of these matchups happening on Sunday in Detroit.
In six games with the Lions, Montgomery has 501 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He is also averaging 4.7 yards a carry. Even though he has only played six of nine games, this is still one of the best seasons of his career. However, he runs into a dangerous Bears run defense this week. So far this season, the Bears only allow 3.2 rushing yards a carry. That is the best in the NFL. That will make it difficult for David Mongomery to have long runs like he has been all season. If the Bears can stop Montgomery, it might prove why they did not want to resign him.
3. Amon-ra St. Brown VS Bears secondary
Photo Credit: Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best at the position. So far this season, St. Brown has 65 catches on 87 targets for 821 yards and four touchdowns. Those stats should concern Bears fans since the Bears secondary has struggled to stop number-one receivers at times this season. The Bears struggle to stop number-one receivers because they play zone. That means the Bears' best cornerback typically isn't on the best receiver, which is an issue when you have a super young secondary. That will not change this week, which means the Bears' secondary will have to play great team defense to slow down St. Brown. It will be a long day for the defense if they can not slow St. Brown down.