The pre-season has shown that Ndamukong Suh is a force on the defensive line for the Lions.
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson will be hard to cover on offense. Also, running back Jahvid Best will keep the Bear linebackers frozen. The short passes from an accurate Matthew Stafford will move the chains.
The Lions will have to establish a strong running game, which is the key. Best has shown he is explosive. “I’m excited,” said Best. “A little nervous, but mostly excited to get the season officially started.”
If Detroit can establish the run, the receivers will be open. Detroit will score early and often.
But so will Chicago. The Lions have no secondary. The Bears will also score often. Look for a high scoring game. The variable will be ‘Red Zone’ defense. Which team can come up with the big plays when it counts?
The Lions know the offensive schemes that Chicago Offensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli likes to present. He used to have that same position in Detroit.
The hope for Chicago is a strong defense. Julius Peppers will be a force. It was the best addition they made. It will be the job of Jeff Backus to stop him. This may the most important job in the trenches.
Remember the Bears still have a great linebacker core. Brian Urlacher combines with weakside linebacker Lance Briggs to form an all-pro presence.
“Every game I have coached here, those two have been our two marquee linebackers,” said Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith.
“I have a lot of faith in what they can do. We have a lot more confidence in what we can do with them on the field.”
Smith also has confidence in strongside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who now has a season under his belt. This trio will have the fate of the Bears in their hands.
“The draft has helped them a lot,” said Urlacher. “They have some good free agents also. They still have to go out there and prove it, but they’ve made some good acquisitions in the offseason and I think they’ll be better this year than they have been.”
Remember, as the Bears linebackers go……….so goes the Bears.