Looking For Momentum: Bears Hope to Start Streak vs. Lions

Things should be on the up and up for the Chicago Bears this week when they go on the road to face the 0-3 Detroit Lions. The Bears (2-2) are coming down from the high of beating the Philadelphia Eagles in dramatic fashion. Hopefully the game against the Lions won’t cause as much drama. Although last week’s victory may be fresh in the mind of head coach Lovie Smith, both of last year’s defeats to Detroit are just as clear; especially the game in Detroit when the Bears gave up 34 points in the fourth quarter, the most in NFL history.

Rookie Matt Forte just might have one of his best rushing performances of the season this week, since he and the offensive line will be facing the league’s worse defense in points allowed (37.7), rushing yards allowed (207.7), and total yards allowed (430.3). Not only could Forte have a big game, but Kevin Jones could do some ground damage to his former team as well. The Bears won’t have to worry about 300 plus pound run-stuffing defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and linebacker Boss Bailey, who are now with the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos respectively. If the Bears run the ball as effectively as many think they can against this defense, the passing game then should open up, which could lead to Kyle Orton having another career day. There is still some uncertainty about the status of Brandon Lloyd’s knee injury, which may lead to the Bears activating rookie receiver Earl Bennett.

As far as injuries on the defensive side, the status of cornerbacks Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nathan Vasher (wrist) is up in the air. The secondary will have the huge task of covering one of the league’s best wide receiver duos in Calvin Johnson and all-pro Roy Williams. Second-string cornerbacks Trumaine McBride and Corey Graham, who did a solid job filling in last week, may have to step in if Tillman and Vasher are unable to play. As for Lance Briggs, Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye, Brian Urlacher, and the rest to the front seven, they will look to overwhelm Detroit’s offensive line and try to put quarterback Jon Kitna under pressure and contain a Lions running attack, which ranks 31 st in the league. But the defense will have to do this without defensive tackle Tommie Harris due to a one-game suspension by the team for breaking an unspecified team rule. The three-time Pro Bowler was expected to play after not participating last week against the Eagles because of a knee injury. The only good thing about this suspension is that it gives Harris’ knee more time to heal. Harris will be replaced by Israel Idonije.

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On paper, the Chicago Bears should easily blow past the Lions this week. But unfortunately, games aren’t played on paper, they’re played on the field—last year was a prime example of that. And the bad taste of last year’s defeats and staying on top of the divisional standings should be more than enough motivation for the Bears this week.

By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent