Three essential elements are needed for the Bears to defeat the Lions.
On Sunday at Ford Field, the Bears (3-7) take on the Detroit Lions (7-2). The following three elements ought to improve their chances of winning the match:
Put pressure on Jared Goff, the quarterback.
With a dynamic and well-balanced attack that ranks second in the NFL in total yards, fourth in rushing, and fourth in passing, the eighth-year veteran has led the Lions to the top of the NFC North rankings. With a 99.1 passer rating, which is eighth in the NFL, and a career-high 68.4 percent completion percentage for 2,504 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions, Goff is having an incredible season. His 43-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio is the greatest in the league since the 2022 season began.
Since joining the Lions in 2021, Goff has faced the Bears in four games. Despite being sacked eight times, he has passed for 961 yards with eight touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 118.6 passer rating. The Bears, who have only logged 13 sacks, will need to make Goff uncomfortable in the pocket. They strengthened their pass rush on October 31 when they acquired defensive end Montez Sweat in a deal with the Commanders.
In the Bears’ most recent contest, the fifth-year player led an enhanced pass rush. Sweat produced eight pressures and three quarterback hits in a 16–13 victory over the Panthers on Nov. 9 at Soldier Field. This helped open up opportunities for fellow lineman Rasheem Green, Justin Jones, and Yannick Ngakoue to record sacks.
When Sweat was added, Bears coach Matt Eberflus compared it to the Colts signing free agent defensive lineman DeForest Buckner in 2020, the year Eberflus was the defensive coordinator for Indianapolis.
“Very similar,” Eberflus remarked. “He’s an All-Pro, a top player, and someone who can have an impact on the quarterback. The effect, which I dubbed the “Tez Factor” the other day, is clearly visible. Last week, we had some excellent pressures, hits on the quarterback, and a couple of sacks. That needs to carry on. It greatly aided in our reporting. That’s evident to you. Without a doubt, such pressure led to many incomplete passes.”
On Sunday, the Bears defense elevates their game significantly against the Lions. Detroit is the only team in the NFL with running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and tight end Sam LaPorta among its four players with at least 400 yards from scrimmage and four scrimmage touchdowns.
Eberflus remarked, “This offense is definitely a good offense.” It requires a lot of skill as they pass the ball to several players and force you to guard it both vertically and horizontally. It will be a significant challenge to us.”
(2) Justin Fields goes back to his previous configuration before to suffering a thumb injury.
The third-year quarterback, who has missed the previous four games due to a dislocated right thumb he suffered in a loss to the Vikings on October 15, is expected to make a comeback. The Bears are hoping Fields continues where he left off in Weeks 4-6, when he recorded the highest passer rating in the NFL (120.0). Against the Commanders and Broncos, he started back-to-back games and completed 617 yards and eight touchdown passes.
“Any time a guy performs at a high level, that’s what your mark is,” Eberflus stated. “You want to always shoot for that.”
Fields and leading receiver DJ Moore have a unique bond that has grown over time.
Cole Kmet, a tight end, has also become a formidable threat in the passing game, hauling in 46 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns. Among NFL tight ends with six touchdown receptions, only Mark Andrews of the Ravens (who suffered a season-ending ankle injury Thursday night in a win over the Bengals) is ahead of the pack.
Undoubtedly, the NFL’s fifth-ranked rushing attack—which has produced at least 133 yards in six of the last seven games—will be the Bears’ main weapon once more. Khalil Herbert, a running back, is anticipated to make a comeback after missing the previous five games due to an ankle injury. Three of the last four games have seen at least 80 yards of rushes by D’Onta Foreman, who performed admirably in Herbert’s absence. The veteran is on the list.
(3) Keep the Lions’ running game in check.
The NFC North rivalry’s main game pits the No. 2-ranked run defense of the Bears against the No. 4-ranked rushing offense of the Lions—at least on paper.
After Week 4, Chicago’s run defense was 18th, but in its last six games, it has allowed 29, 46, 39, 54, 87, and 43 yards on the ground, propelling the team up the rankings. The team will play a dynamic duo of running backs in Detroit: Gibbs (90-476-4) and Montgomery (106-501-7) have combined to carry for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns on 196 carries.
Montgomery leads all NFL rushers with an average of 83.5 yards per game. He signed with the Lions this year after playing for the Bears for his first four NFL seasons.
“We think we know him.”
Since Week 7, Gibbs has surpassed all other NFL running backs with 427 yards from scrimmage, including three consecutive games with at least 100 yards.
“He’s special,” Borgonzi remarked. He has a slight resemblance to [Alvin] Kamara from New Orleans. where he excels at catching the ball out of the backfield. With Gibbs being more of an outside runner and Montgomery being more of a power back, there’s an intriguing dynamic in the open field that allows Gibbs to complete runs while also forcing mistakes from opponents.”
Part of the defense’s overall improvement that has helped the Bears bounce back from a 0–4 start to a 3–3 record in their last six games is playing better against the run.
