The Silver (and Blue) Lining: 3 positive takeaways from a loss in Chicago

Introducing the Silver (and Blue) Lining, where we at Lions Wire identify three positive takeaways from the Detroit Lions most recent game.

A Week 10 battle in the Windy City saw the Detroit Lions fall to the Chicago Bears, returning to the Motor City with a 3-5-1 record.

As Lions fans, we tend to get down on our team a lot easier than a lot of other teams do — we are starving for success in Detroit, I get it — but there are positives you can take away from every game.

Thus I bring you, the first-ever Silver, with a hint of Honolulu Blue, Lining.

Jeff Driskel looked good

This bullet point was pegged even before we found out that Driskel was only made aware of him being called on to start at quarterback the morning before the game. Once word came out on the short notice, I wanted to put an exclamation point on the heading.

A few bad passes and an interception wasn’t enough to sour the day Driskel had. I kept wondering why they wouldn’t let him loose and throw the ball downfield and see what the Lions had with their backup. For much of the game, it appeared as if Driskel was told to play it safe, rather than try to move the ball downfield and air it out. On one of the plays where Driskel took a shot, he connected with Kenny Golladay for a 48-yard touchdown.

Driskel can also move, the Lions ran several read options in which he was able to scramble and he moved the ball very well. When the game ended, Jeff Driskel was the top rusher of the day for the Lions, with 37 yards.

With Matthew Stafford listed as day-to-day, Driskel could see the field more this season and if he gets reps, the Lions have a very formidable backup quarterback, not to mention he has Stafford to give him advice.

The defensive line played well

The Detroit Lions defensive line tallied five sacks in the game, on a day where Mike Daniels made his return to the active roster. Trey Flowers led the way for the Lions on defense, and showed the reasons why he was brought to Detroit.

Bears running back David Montgomery rushed for 67 yards, but was held to 3.5 yards per carry. If the Lions defensive line can continue this type of play, this should help the struggling secondary turn things around.

Marvin Jones continues his tremendous season

Five catches for 77 yards on six targets is how Jones finished the day. Are those the flashy numbers? No. Are they are solid numbers? Yes. Just like most of his catches have been this season, they came with a moving of the chains for the Lions offense.

Jones, has just one dropped pass this season to go along with 47 receptions and 612 yards with an average yard per reception of 13.0 and six trips to the end zone. If Driskel continues to play this season and needs a security blanket — 13 yards per catch will keep you nice and cozy.