In their annual Thanksgiving Day game, The Lions (7-4-0) take on the Chicago Bears (5-6-0) looking to end a two game losing streak as well as a two game stretch that has seen Detroit fail to score a touchdown. However the last team with a winning record to have a longer streak was the 2000 Baltimore Ravens who went five games without scoring a touchdown but eventually went on to win the Super Bowl that season.
Today’s game also features Matthew Stafford going up against Jay Cutler who both have had similar seasons this year. Both signal callers have the same QBR this year while Stafford holds the edge in total yards thrown with Cutler passing for exactly one more first down than Stafford.
Kickoff: 12:30PM ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Kickoff Forecast: Indoors
Tailgate Forecast: 33 degrees and partly cloudy with winds out of the NW at 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Spread: Chicago +7.0, T:47.0
TV: CBS
Radio: 97.1FM The Ticket (click for affiliates)
Follow: Follow the game on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Last Meeting with the Bears
Calvin Johnson caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford with 2:22 left in the fourth to help the Lions edge the Bears 21-19 from Soldier Field on November 10th, 2013.
Why the Lions will win
Jay Cutler throws a lot of interceptions
Despite a 130-yard performance last weekend against the Buccaneers, Jay Cutler is tied for the second most interceptions thrown this season (12) trailing only Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Chicago Secondary is horrid
So how bad is that Chicago secondary? Well they’re 29th in pass defense, allowing 260.5 yards. The good news (for them) is Detroit has had their own problems passing the ball.
Why the Lions will lose
The offense continues to be lethargic
The Lions haven’t scored a touchdown in a game since Matthew Stafford connected with Theo Riddick late in the fourth quarter three weeks ago against Miami meaning Detroit has gone 8+ without an end zone score. The good news? Matt Prater has pretty much put the Lions’ place kicking woes behind them.
A banged up offensive line
The offensive line really wasn’t great to begin with but now with Reiff injured on a short week, things could get worse before they get better. If the o-line gives Stafford zero time in the pocket and no support for the running game we could be in for quite a long day, at least offensively.
Lions Players to Watch
Matthew Stafford – QB
Stafford hasn’t had a great season but is presented with an opportunity to get things turned around against a porous Bears secondary. He needs to do a better job working in the pocket and looking for more options down field rather than forcing the ball to Calvin Johnson.
Golden Tate – WR
Tate was finally involved in the Lions’ offense last week against the Patriots with 4 receptions for 97 yards. Will he be an even more vital part of the offense today against the Bears? Lets just say when Golden Tate is more involved better things happen.
Bears Players to Watch
Jay Cutler – QB
Like Stafford, Cutler has struggled this season. Again he’s tied for the second most thrown interceptions in the League but could be in the midst of a resurgence this year coming off two productive weeks. Not to mention a Jay Cutler that’s on his game instantly transforms that Bears’ offense into one of the most dynamic in all the NFL that features Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall.
Willie Young – DE
Former Lion Willie Young is having a break out season this year recording 8 sacks on that Bears defensive line. Going up against his former team you’d have to figure Young will want to put on a show, especially against that Lions offensive line that’s struggled to protect Stafford and will be without Riley Reiff this afternoon.
Bears Injuries
OUT: LB Lance Briggs (groin), C Brian De La Puente (ankle), LB Darryl Sharpton (hamstring), WR Wallace Williams (hamstring).
DOUBTFUL: DT Jeremiah Ratliff (knee), DE Trevor Scott (knee).
QUESTIONABLE: CB Kyle Fuller (knee).
PROBABLE: WR Brandon Marshall (ankle), T Jordan Mills (ribs), S Brock Vereen (shoulder), T Eben Britton (illness).
Detroit Lions Injuries
OUT: DT Nick Fairley (knee), G Larry Warford (knee), LT Riley Reiff (knee), RB Reggie Bush (ankle)
PROBABLE: DE Ezekiel Ansah (elbow), S James Ihedigbo (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (ankle), DE George Johnson (foot), LB Ashlee Palmer (concussion), CB Rashean Mathis (ankle), S Glover Quin (back).
Predictions
The last two weeks have been predictable for the Lions and I’m not going to fret too much about two losses to two of the best teams in the NFL What the past two weeks though set up is a must win of sorts today against the Bears. If Detroit is serious about getting things turned around and making the playoffs it starts today against the Bears who are one of the more disappointing teams in the NFL. By no means though is today’s game a gimme. Detroit should get things going offensively but I worry a bit about the defense that may have been working a bit on smoke and mirrors in 2014.
Detroit 28, Chicago 20
