This is a very interesting matchup. Believe it or not, these two teams are somewhat mirror images of each other when you break down their passing games. Gunslinger mentality quarterbacks in Stafford and Cutler, and they will force it to their big play wideouts: Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall, irrespective of double and even triple teams. In my opinion, thats probably what's preventing these quarterbacks from taking the next "leap" in their career into becoming elite quarterbacks. An elite quarterback spreads the ball around and keeps opponents guessing (i.e Rodgers, Brady, and the Manning brothers).
Now for my analysis...The last time these teams played, the Bears were home and sporting a 5-3 record, while Detroit was 6-2, but they were all looking up to the undefeated Green Bay Packers (my,my,my how things have changed). In that game, which was a 37-13 blowout by the Bears, Matt Stafford had one of the worst games of his career, throwing 2 pick-6's and throwing another 2 INTS on top of that (4 INTs total). The Lions also unexplainably punted the ball to Devin Hester who returned it for an 82 yard TD.
The Bears are coming back from a bye week in which they have no doubt, enjoyed themselves after winning 3 consecutive games (home vs St Louis, @ Dallas, and @ Jacksonville). The Bears won these games by an average of 24 points each!! I guess it helps when your defense has 9 interceptions over that time period and returns 5 of them for touchdowns!! I don't think I have ever seen a team have 5 pick-6's over the course of 3 weeks. I feel bad for the oddsmakers that have to make a line for this one. You have to make the Bears a substantial favorite based on their performance the last 3 weeks prior to their bye.
Here's the way I see it...The Bears couldn't have asked for a bye week at a worse time. I think this is a classic example of a bad bye week (if there is such a thing). The team is healthy, playing their best possible football, firing on all cylinders, and then they have to take the "cooler" week off.
Meanwhile, Detroit came off the bye last week after losing 3 straight, and finally put together a solid game against the Eagles. That is a classic example of a good bye week. Not to mention, they also got a little healthier by getting Louis Delmas back. Who would've thought that the Detroit defense would go into Philly and actually put together a solid performance. Delmas came through with a key interception, and they held L. Mccoy to 22 yards rushing on 14 carries! Yes, they did have one blown coverage assignment allowing Maclin to have a 70-yard TD, but their defense was really impressive with the exception of that one miscue.
I think Stafford will learn from his mistakes he made against the Tampa 2 last time he was in the windy city, and I think the Lions will continue their momentum from last week. While the Bears, on the other hand, will be just getting back to game speed after their mandatory week off. Also worth noting, the Bears have not had one close game this year (a game decided by 1 score or less).
wk1: win vs IND 41-21, wk 2: lost at GB 10-23, wk 3: win vs STL 23-6, wk 4: win at DAL 34-16, wk 5; win at JAX 41-3.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have won or lost every game this year by one score or less (isn't that ironic).
My final conclusion is that the Bears will have their first really competitive game this year. I don't want to call the Bear's previous wins luck, because they are an experienced, fundamentally sound team. I just think the momentum from Detroit's road win at Philly will carry over to Soldier field on Monday night (not to mention a win here could get the Lions back to .500).
My final prediction: Lions win 23-21 on a last minute Jason Hansen field goal.
good luck everyone
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