Return from Hibernation: Bears look to sweep Lions

Coming off of a bye week, the Chicago Bears (4-3) are looking to get back into the thick of things when they host the Detroit Lions (0-7) Sunday afternoon. Even though the Bears did trounce the Lions 34-7 four weeks ago, this Detroit team has made some major changes, which could possibly be a problem for Chicago. The Lions now have a new starting quarterback in Dan Orlovsky, have traded wide receiver Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, and has replaced rookie running back Kevin Smith with veteran Rudi Johnson. Despite the changes and the winless record of the Lions, their past three losses have been by eight points or less—which shows significant improvement since their last blowout loss to the Bears.

Chicago’s offence seems to have changed their “come off the bus running” philosophy over the past four games. In that span of games as a team, the Bears have only rushed for 307 yards and three touchdowns versus 1,102 passing yards and nine touchdowns. This change in the offensive scheme is largely due to both the emergence of Kyle Orton and the way defenses are defending the run. Looking back at Week 5, the Lions may try to change their game plan and focus more on stopping Orton, who threw for a career-high 334 yards against them. This change is probably what rookie Matt Forte needs in order to put up the big numbers he did the first three weeks of the season. As for the receivers, things haven’t changed much since the bye week. Devin Hester, who didn’t finish the last game versus the Minnesota Vikings due to a quad injury, is expected to play. But the status of Brandon Lloyd is still in question. Lloyd hasn’t seen the field since injuring his knee against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

Defensively, Chicago is still bitter after giving up 41 points in their victory over the Vikings, and is eager to prove that they are still capable of showing their dominance. Hopefully this bye week has worked in the Bears’ favor, since the majority of their injuries have been on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerbacks Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nathan Vasher (wrist) have been limited in practice, and their status for Sunday’s game is still in the air. As much as Lovie Smith wants his starting corners back in action, he has to feel pretty good with the way back-up cornerbacks Corey Graham and Trumaine McBride have filled in. Graham led the team with 25 tackles in the past three games, and both Graham and McBride have shown the ability to get big takeaways in pressure situations. Another player who is uncertain about Sunday is linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. Hillenmeyer injured his thumb against the Vikings. Tommie Harris, who has been battling with a knee injury all week hasn’t practiced, but is expected to play.

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With this much needed rest, the Chicago Bears should pick up where they left off offensively against the Vikings in Week 7, and once again become stouter defensively like they were when facing the Lions in Week 5. Still tied for first place in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers, and having the Vikings breathing down their necks, there is very little room for error for the Bears.

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