3 Keys to a Bears Victory Over the Lions
After blowing a 13-point lead with four minutes left in Week 11, the 4-8 Chicago Bears look to redeem themselves against the 9-3 Detroit Lions this Sunday. Each team enters this game with some momentum after victories. The Lions are coming off a victory against the Saints, where they scored 21 points in the first seven minutes of the game. However, after that burst of scoring the Lions only scored 12 points in the remaining 53 minutes. These struggles to consistently put scoring drives together started in their Week 11 comeback victory over the Bears. So, this week is a perfect time to fix them.
On the other hand, the Bears are coming off a 12-10 victory against the Vikings. This victory against the Vikings was the best the Bears’ defense has played all season. However, they couldn’t get anything going on offense.
Thankfully, the Bears had a bye week after their victory against the Vikings. Giving them time to rest and design a good game plan for the Lions. In that game plan have to include these three keys to avoid a repeat of what happened in Week 11.
Capitalize off of turnovers
Photo Credit: Chicago Bears
The Bears' defense has generated eight turnovers in the past two games. Four came against the Lions in Week 11, and the other four came against the Vikings in Week 12. While getting these turnovers is great, the Bears' offense has failed to capitalize on them, only scoring 13 points. The offense's failure to score points off turnovers swings the momentum back in the opponent's favor, which is the opposite of what is meant to happen. That is why the offense must turn turnovers into field goals at a minimum.
Improving sudden change offensive game plans should have been a focus during the bye week. Specifically, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy needs to add a few more pass plays to begin drives since defenses aren't necessarily ready to execute off of sudden change. If these changes are made, the Bears should have a better chance to score off turnovers. The sudden change game pan changes may be seen this week if the Bears' defense plays the way it has been the past two games.
Stop the Run
Photo Credit: Detroit Lions
When these teams met in Week 11, the Bears had the best rushing defense in the NFL, only allowing 3.2 yards per carry. However, the Lions had a top-ten rushing attack in the NFL, making the matchup strength vs strength. The Lions ultimately got the best of the Bears’ rush defense in their first matchup, rushing for 115 total yards. While giving up over 100 rushing yards is something a defense never wants to do, that was not the biggest issue the Bears rush defense faced the first time around. Instead, they allowed the Lions’ running backs to rush for 6.3 yards a carry and 4.5 yards a carry, respectively. Those big rushes hurt the defense significantly and kept them on the field.
The Bears need to make sure this does not happen again. To do that, the defense needs to meet both Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield and finish their tackles. If the Bears can limit the damage done on the ground, the defense has a better chance of forcing stops.
Get Fields Moving
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One thing the Bears did exceptionally well early in their first meeting against the Lions was getting quarterback Justin Fields moving. Whether it was on play-action boot passes or designed quarterback runs, Fields was on the move and feeling himself. Completing 10/15 passes for 99 yards and rushed for 46 yards on eight carries in the first half. Fields success was a bit hampered in the second half thanks to conservative playcalling. However, he still went 6/8 passing for 70 yards and had ten more rushes for 58 yards.
This week, the Bears need to stick to the aggressive play calling they had in the first half of Week 11 the whole game. Continuing to get Feilds out on the perimeter will stress a Lions’ defense that has struggled recently and provided chances for big plays. If the Bears’ offense can hit big plays on this Lions’ defense, it will help them score and win the game.