Lions-Bears Preview

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Lions-Bears

SCOUTING REPORT

Lions-Bears: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Lions-Bears matchup. 1. Detroit needs to throw on early downs: Rookie Matthew Stafford had his best outing in last week's win and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will likely toss the ball around on early downs more than usual against a stingy Bears defense. Short, high-percentage passes should make third down conversions more manageable.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
DET	2-8	181	301	2-3	0-5	0-4	1-7
CHI	4-5	186	201	3-1	1-4	1-1	2-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Detroit Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Staffo... 54.3 1489 6 12 Culpep... 56.5 384 1 2

Chicago Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cutler 62.4 2353 14 17 Hanie 50.0 3 0 0

Detroit Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Smith 150 515 3.4 3 Morris 36 136 3.8 1

Chicago Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Forte 143 482 3.4 3 Wolfe 22 120 5.5 1

Detroit Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Johnso... 32 436 13.6 1 Johnso... 22 293 13.3 2

Chicago Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Hester 48 596 12.4 3 Bennet... 35 454 13.0 0

Full Player Stats: Detroit | Chicago

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	DET	294.0
	CHI	334.0
Yards Passing	DET	190.8
	CHI	249.1
Yards Rushing	DET	103.1
	CHI	85.2
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	DET	386.2
	CHI	313.8
Pass Yds Allowed	DET	271.7
	CHI	195.3
Rush Yds Allowed	DET	114.6
	CHI	118.4

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Chicago leads 11-6
Nov 2, 2008	DET 23, CHI 27
Oct 5, 2008	DET 7, @CHI 34
Oct 28, 2007	DET 16, CHI 7
Sep 30, 2007	DET 37, @CHI 27
Dec 24, 2006	DET 21, @CHI 26
Sep 17, 2006	DET 7, CHI 34
Oct 30, 2005	DET 13, @CHI 19
Sep 18, 2005	DET 6, CHI 38
Dec 26, 2004	DET 19, @CHI 13
Sep 12, 2004	DET 20, CHI 16
Nov 9, 2003	DET 12, @CHI 10
Oct 26, 2003	DET 16, CHI 24
Nov 24, 2002	DET 17, CHI 20
Oct 20, 2002	DET 23, @CHI 20
Dec 30, 2001	DET 0, @CHI 24
Dec 2, 2001	DET 10, CHI 13

It's easy to see why many experts compared Matthew Stafford to Jay Cutler prior to April's draft. Both have strong arms, throw well on the run and are similar in stature.

There's one attribute that isn't as easily measured: the ability to rebound from early season adversity.

Cutler, settling down and making big plays for Chicago after a tough start, looks to lead the Bears to their first NFC North win Sunday as they host Stafford and a Lions team coming off its first victory in 20 games.

Cutler was acquired by Chicago (2-1) in a trade with Denver on April 2, and Detroit (1-2) drafted Stafford No. 1 overall later that month partly due to a likeness in skill set to the former Broncos Pro Bowler. Even the NFL's official Web site listed Cutler as the player Stafford most favorably compared to in its pre-draft bio.

Cutler had a rough first game with the Bears, throwing a career-high four interceptions in a 21-15 loss to division rival Green Bay on Sept. 13. Cutler, though, has completed more than 70 percent of his passes in each of his last two games, winning both.

He completed all three of his passes in the decisive drive against Seattle last Sunday, the last of which was a 36-yard touchdown to Devin Hester with 1:52 remaining as Chicago won 25-19.

"I pride myself in that. I want the ball in those situations and I think this offense is starting to get a feel for it," said Cutler, who has five touchdown passes and one interception over the last two games.

Stafford threw five INTs in his first two regular-season games, but he was turnover-free last Sunday as Detroit ended a 19-game losing streak with a 19-14 win over Washington.

"I'm having fun," said Stafford, who threw a touchdown pass for the second straight week. "It's a great game we get to play."

The Lions, who have had one Pro Bowl quarterback since winning the 1957 NFL title, are coming off the NFL's first 0-16 season and a loss last week would have left them with the second-longest losing streak in league history.

"We can worry about Chicago this week instead of worrying about Chicago and the baggage from the last couple of years," first-year coach Jim Schwartz said.

After holding Redskins running back Clinton Portis to 42 yards on 12 carries, Detroit looks to keep Matt Forte's slow start going.

With the Bears offensive line struggling, Forte is averaging 2.5 yards per carry and 50.0 per game while failing to score. As part of his 1,238 rushing yards as a rookie, he ran for 126 in Chicago's 27-23 win over Detroit on Nov. 2, 2008, the last meeting between the teams.

Forte's health is a concern as well after he was bent back awkwardly at the end of an 11-yard run on the Bears' winning drive versus the Seahawks. Forte, who had 66 yards on 21 carries, was limping in the locker room and had a wrap on his left leg following postgame treatment.

On defense, the Bears continue to have injury issues at linebacker. Nick Roach had to move to middle linebacker after Hunter Hillenmeyer left with a rib injury.

Hillenmeyer, who became the starting middle linebacker after Brian Urlacher suffered a season-ending wrist injury in the opener, likely won't play this week. If he can't, Roach will likely fill in again.

"Nick has a lot of quickness. He can get off slip blocks and get off of it well. I think he's a good rusher, and he's good in pass," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "All things we ask our linebackers to do Nick does a good job of."

Most of the pressure Chicago has put on opposing quarterbacks has come from its defensive line, which has six of the team's nine sacks.

Rod Marinelli, the Lions' head coach last season, is now coaching the Bears defensive line. Smith hired him a few months after he was fired by Detroit.

Marinelli will help try to slow down a Lions running game that may be without Kevin Smith, who appeared ready to set a career high in rushing yards last week before leaving in the third quarter with a right shoulder injury. Smith didn't return and finished with 101 yards.

Maurice Morris would likely replace Smith if he can't play. Morris scored the game-winning TD early in the fourth quarter but had only 10 yards on eight carries.

Lions shock Browns at :00 on Stafford's 5th TD

Matthew Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass from 1 yard to Brandon Pettigrew, and Jason Hanson's extra point with no time on the clock gave the Detroit Lions a stunning 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Isaacson: It's hard to ignore Cutler's night woes

Eagles' Westbrook might miss up to 3 games

Brian Westbrook is expected to miss at least two to three games as he recovers from his second concussion in 20 days, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Friday.

Bears' Wolfe out for season with kidney injury

Chicago Bears running back Garrett Wolfe is out for the season with a lacerated kidney.

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Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft, made an impressive throw toward the end of Lions practice Monday.

Jim Schwartz: Matthew Stafford's quick release will be his biggest weapon - Video

As the Detroit Lions wrap up their OTAs, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford has made a strong impression on both coaches and players .

Young players show emotions at Detroit Lions' OTA

The Detroit Lions defense stretches before the final OTA before mandatory minicamp starts June 23.

Lions sign Jansen, release Foster

Jon Jansen is in and George Foster is out. That became official Monday as the Lions went through another round of practices at their indoor facility.

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Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft, made an impressive throw toward the end of Lions practice Monday.

Former coach sings praises of new Bears LB

Former St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator and Northwestern head coach Rick Venturi never questioned Pisa Tinoisamoa's toughness, but Venturi may have doubted the linebacker's sanity at one point.

Bear facts

LAKE FOREST, Ill. Bears coach Lovie Smith answers email questions from fans: I was so happy to see you thinking out of the box and taking over play-calling duties on defense.

Tinoisamoa signs deal; Bears look at punters

The latest addition in Jerry Angelo's busy offseason arrived Monday at Halas Hall.

Call it signings of the times

In a frenetic day of wheeling and dealing at Halas Hall, the Bears signed a likely starter for their defense, locked up a versatile lineman for two seasons and secured almost all of their draft picks.

Bears hoping Cutler can help get running game in gear

Fact or fiction? Jay Cutler had no running game last season in Denver. Reading through comments left here over the last few days, it looks like the widely held opinion is that the Broncos were running in the slow lane in 2008, you know, when Cutler wasn't chucking it.