Tag: Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears

Lions out-executed and outcoached in all-around team loss to Bears

The Detroit Lions out-executed and outcoached in all-around team loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 14

Given a chance to run away and hide with the franchise’s first NFC North title, the Detroit Lions instead played dead in the midway. The Lions were outplayed, outcoached and too easily outscored, 28-13, by the host Chicago Bears.

Other than a good second quarter from both the offense and the defense, Detroit was thoroughly dominated by the Bears, who improved to 5-8 with their convincing win. The Lions fall to 9-4 as they conclude the outdoor portion of their 2023 schedule.

Justin Fields was the better quarterback over Jared Goff. Montez Sweat was the better EDGE over Aidan Hutchinson. D.J. Moore was the better wide receiver over Amon-Ra St. Brown, though some of that goes on Goff. Both coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, were outmaneuvered by their Chicago counterparts. So too was head coach Dan Campbell by Matt Eberflus, who spent Chicago’s bye week with the local media already auditioning his replacement.

The third quarter was perhaps the worst the Lions can play for an extended period. Johnson’s offense went three-and-out three straight times, with Goff fumbling away a snap on the fourth series. Detroit’s defense did force a three-and-out of its own, but that was between a field goal and a touchdown. The Lions’ 13-10 halftime lead was blown away and never close to being recaptured.

Goff finished 20-for-35 with just 161 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was 8-for-19 in the second half, a stanza where the Bears defense seemed to correctly anticipate everything coming at them. The Lions offensive line also had a rough game, notably left tackle Taylor Decker getting beaten for at least two sacks.

There were a plethora of missed tackles by the Lions defense, who also gave up containment on Fields as a runner too often, too. Just for good measure, kicker Riley Patterson missed an extra point. Total team loss.

The Lions have a short week to get things back in order. Detroit hosts Denver on Saturday night in Week 15.

Lions at Bears: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions at Bears: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 14 matchup in Chicago

The Sunday morning coffee hits a little cleaner as we progress deeper into peppermint mocha season. Burying the pumpkin spice season is appropriate for the Detroit Lions given today’s opponent and how the last meeting went deep in the heart of November.

The last time the Lions and Chicago Bears faced off, it was the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Peak pumpkin spice season. Even though Detroit rallied for an epic win in Ford Field that day, that game left a rotten pumpkin taste in the mouth.

Will the Lions cleanse the palate in their final outdoor game of the regular season? Here’s what is going through my mind ahead of today’s Week 14 matchup in Soldier Field in Chicago.

Why I think the Lions will win

  • It’s the David Montgomery revenge game. The longtime Bears RB gained 76 yards on 12 carries in the Week 11 matchup, the first time the Lions RB played his old team. I expect more of the same in the windier but mostly dry conditions of Soldier Field. The Lions know they need to help out the injury-plagued offensive line by running the ball, and they should find success against the Bears run defense which is trending in the wrong direction: since (and including) that Week 11 Lions win, Detroit’s run defense is better in yards per carry (3.9 to 4.2). Teams don’t run at Chicago and that’s why their overall stats look great. Detroit did it very well last time (22 carries for 115 yards) and will do it again.
  • Jared Goff has game film and experience against the revamped Bears defense. Last time out, they dropped their LBs deeper and changed their coverage from their typical scheme. It worked, with Goff throwing three INTs and nearly throwing two others. Goff is smart enough to understand the adaptation, and I see Lions OC Ben Johnson changing up the attack to exploit the deeper LB drops. Can you say “Jamo bubble screen?”
  • Jack Campbell found his footing at LB last week. He’s the exact piece that can help contain Justin Fields.
  • I really liked how sharp the Lions special teams performed against the Saints. They needed a reset from a shaky (for them) few weeks and they got it. I expect that to carry over and prevent hidden yards on both sides of the equation from Chicago.

What worries me about the Bears

  • The Bears pass defense has definitely stepped up lately, with the third-best YPA allowed over the last month, a timeframe that includes the first meeting in Detroit. They’re getting more consistent pressure and doing it by blitzing less. Their acquisition of Montez Sweat fundamentally transformed their defense. With Penei Sewell having a couple of rough (for him) games and the interior OL shuffling, the Lions pass protection is unexpectedly vulnerable. Jared Goff doesn’t always handle that well, and the 10-20 MPH wind won’t help Detroit’s QB here.
  • Justin Fields is playing for his future, be it in Chicago or elsewhere. And he knows it. Their coaching staff is also playing for their collective future, and they know it, too. The Bears — and Fields — are not without talent and ability. They’re dangerously backed into a corner here.
  • The Bears don’t need to “tank”; they’ll get the No. 1 overall pick from their trade with Carolina clinched as soon as next week. Being a spoiler and growing more confident and together as a young unit by getting some wins is the plan. We witnessed the power of that mindset in Detroit with the Lions a year ago.

Final score prediction

In the end, I think the quarterback who makes fewer mistakes will lead his team to a low-scoring victory. Gimmie Jared Goff and a much broader, diversely skilled set of weapons. Lions 20, Bears 16.

Lions elevate practice squad OL Michael Niese for Week 14

Niese is the only heathy player besides Graham Glasgow on the Lions roster, active or practice squad, who has even played one down of center

In need of someone who has played center for even one snap in their football life, the Detroit Lions elevated Michael Niese from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears.

Niese is primarily a guard, but he did play some center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 preseason finale. That makes him the only player with any center experience to back up Graham Glasgow, who is filling in for an injured Frank Ragnow.

The other reserve offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, Kayode Awosika and Dan Skipper, are primarily tackles who can also play guard.

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Behind Enemy Lines: Breaking down the matchup in Chicago with Bears Wire

With questions on Justin Fields, the Bears defense, the potential of Jaylon Johnson to join the Lions this offseason and more.

It’s Bears week in Detroit. The Lions are heading to Chicago to face the rival Bears on Sunday in an NFC North matchup that could push the Lions to the brink of clinching their first-ever division title.

The two teams met back in Week 11 in Ford Field. Fans might recall the Lions scoring 17 points in the final 2:59 to stun the Bears with a 31-26 comeback victory.

What’s going on with the Bears since? To help find out more, I asked a few questions with Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire. She graciously answered questions on Justin Fields, the Bears defense, the potential of Jaylon Johnson to join the Lions this offseason and more.

Detroit Lions Podcast – Bish & Brown: Lions vs. Bears II preview

Scott Bischoff and Russell Brown of Lions Wire preview the Week 14 rematch with the Bears on the Detroit Lions Podcast

Scott and Russ are back for another episode of Bischoff and Brown on the Detroit Lions Podcast! On this episode, here’s a few things that the guys discussed:

  • Lions beat the Saints 33-28!
  • Scott was at the game in New Orleans. What did he notice during the game?
  • Offensive and defensive review against the Saints.
  • Key players discussed: Jameson Williams, Jack Campbell, Brian Branch, Jared Goff, Sam LaPorta and Aidan Hutchinson.
  • Lions play the Bears on Sunday for their second time on the season. The guys give their thoughts and preview the game!

Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the Detroit Lions Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other podcast platforms!

Detroit Lions Podcast: Ready for the playoff push

The Detroit Lions Podcast gets ready for the playoff push in the Week 14 live episode

This week’s live episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast gets ready for the team’s playoff push. Recorded Wednesday night, it’s about looking forward to the postseason and all the potential still at hand for this Lions team.

The 9-3 Lions are sailing toward the first NFC North title in franchise history, but it feels like a lot of fans have already given up on the season. This episode hopes to combat that defeatism, with facts and notes about the Lions and some of the other NFC contenders.

There’s a look ahead to the Week 14 matchup in Chicago with the Bears, as well as a quick bow on the Week 13 win in New Orleans.

The audio-only version of the show is available from your favorite podcast provider.

Two key Lions starters could miss Week 14 vs. the Bears with injuries

Two key Lions starters could miss Week 14 vs. the Bears with injuries suffered in the win in New Orleans

The Detroit Lions didn’t lose any players to season-ending injuries in Sunday’s 33-28 win over the Saints in New Orleans. That’s the good news.

However, head coach Dan Campbell indicated that the team could be without two key starters along the lines for this week’s matchup with the Chicago Bears. Center Frank Ragnow and defensive tackle Alim McNeill are both banged up and the early indication from Campbell makes their availability for Week 14 sound unlikely.

On Ragnow, Campbell said this,

“I feel like more than anything, we got good news, but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to be available this week.”

The Pro Bowl center suffered a leg injury and left the game in the first half. He was ruled out with a knee injury, though he was also kicked in the calf on the play in question.

McNeill left the field on three separate occasions and needed attention from the trainers. Campbell did not elaborate on any specific injury.

“Yeah, look, (McNeill’s) a little banged up, so we’ll know more on him probably in, I would say a couple of days, so there’s a chance he may not be up either.”

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Lions PFF grades: Best and worst from the Week 17 win over the Bears

The Lions earned their highest grade of the year as a team and the individual grades were also quite lofty

The Detroit Lions opened up the 2023 portion of the 2022 NFL season by pounding the visiting Chicago Bears, 41-10. After a close first quarter, it wasn’t really much of a game.

The Pro Football Focus grades for the Lions reflect the lopsided contest. Detroit as a team earned its highest overall game grade (90.3) of the season and also topped out several team metrics. The individual grades for players were also very high, almost across the board.

Here are the breakdowns for the Lions top and bottom performers in Week 17.

Dan Campbell expects more from Ifeatu Melifonwu vs. the Bears

Melifonwu is in line to start for the second straight week at safety

Ifeatu Melifonwu is in line to get his second straight start at safety for the Detroit Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell all but ruled out regular starter DeShon Elliott with a shoulder injury on Friday for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

Melifonwu’s starting debut against the Carolina Panthers did not go well. While the second-year DB led the Lions in tackles, he also missed several opportunities and was consistently out of position in run defense.

Campbell expressed some confidence in Melifonwu heading into the Week 17 matchup with Chicago.

“Well, I would anticipate we’d see him react quicker,” Campbell said of Melifonwu. “I think we’re going to see a player that sees it faster and triggers faster, and he knows what we’re looking for just from what we talked about, the intensity, the aggressiveness. So, yeah, I anticipate we’ll see a better version of Iffy.”

Campbell was also asked if reserve safety C.J. Moore would take on a bigger role, but the head coach downplayed that potential.

“Yeah, I think the plan would be to stay with Iffy more this week – to go that route and here’s why and a lot of that came back to – here’s some of the plus and minus with C.J. is, it would be great, but also man, he’s such a vital part of what we do on teams. He’s a four-core player and the more strain you put on him defensively it takes away from the core and that’s really where he – where he really excels.”

Campbell continued,

“And so, I think it’s – that’s why we want to give Iffy more of a go and we feel like that gives us our best chance as a team to keep Moore there. Let Iffy get another week under his belt here and see where it goes.”

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Grading the Lions in the Week 10 win over the Bears

Here’s what the grade book looks like from the Lions’ Week 10 win over the Bears.

It wasn’t expected by many, not even entering the final drive. It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Detroit Lions pulled off a thrilling 31-30 win over the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field on Sunday.

It took a stunning comeback from the Lions, who trailed 24-10 entering the fourth quarter, to secure the first road victory of Dan Campbell’s coaching reign in Detroit. Several Lions players and units rose to the challenge on a chilly Sunday in Chicago.

Grading the Lions performances in Week 10 is a tricky task. More than a few Lions had games that ranged from terrible to awesome over the span of a few plays. Averaging them out into a final grade took a lot of fine-tuning and collective thought.

Here’s what the grade book looks like from the Lions’ Week 10 win over the Bears.