SUNDAY SNAPSHOT
Kickoff: Sunday, Noon CT
Surface: FieldTurf
Television: FOX – Matt Vasgersian, Brian Baldinger Brian Billick, and Laura Omkin
Series: 157th meeting. Bears lead 87-64-5, but they were swept by the Lions last year. In the first meeting in 2007, the Bears led 13-3 after three quarters, but the Lions scored 34 points in the fourth quarter for a 37-27 victory. Prior to that, the Bears won four straight.
KEYS TO THE GAME
The Bears are beginning to trust QB Kyle Orton to take more shots downfield, and WR Devin Hester is emerging as a viable vertical threat. But on the road against a desperate – and rested – division foe, Chicago can't get too far away from RB Matt Forte. The offensive line is still a weakness, and the last thing the Bears need is to give the Lions a chance to create turnovers with good shots on Orton. ... Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto has vowed to run the ball more this season, while WR Roy Williams is lobbying for more four-receiver sets. It's symptomatic of the disjointed Lions, who are averaging just 289 yards of offense per game. With QB Jon Kitna forcing far too many passes into tight spots, the Lions have to get production out of RB Rudi Johnson, who was promoted over rookie Kevin Smith this week. Detroit's approach in the passing game could be determined by the status of Chicago's corners.
INJURY REPORT
Bears: DT Tommie Harris (knee) is suspended; WR Brandon Lloyd (knee) and CB Charles Tillman (shoulder) did not practice midweek and are uncertain; CB Nathan Vasher (wrist/thumb) could play.
Lions: RG Stephen Peterman (hand) and RT George Foster (knee) appear unlikely to play.
FAST FACTS
Forte's 347 rushing yards is the most by a Bears rookie through four games since Beattie Feathers had 414 in 1934. ... Kitna has had a passer rating of at least 90.0 in each of the past four meetings.
WR Brandon Lloyd
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images |
PERSONNEL NEWS
Bears: Lloyd (knee) has not practiced all week and appears doubtful for Sunday against the Lions. Lloyd leads the Bears with 249 receiving yards and is second with 15 catches. ... Vasher (wrist/thumb) has not practiced all week and had a minor surgical procedure on his dislocated thumb earlier in the week. He has not been ruled out but will probably be doubtful. ... Tillman (shoulder) has not practiced all week and will be questionable at best Sunday. ... Harris was suspended for this week's game for violating team rules (chronic tardiness), but he probably wouldn't have played anyway because of a knee injury. ... LB Nick Roach has taken some playing time at strong-side linebacker at the expense of starter Hunter Hillenmeyer.
Lions: Peterman will get the cast off his broken left hand Friday, but Colletto said he would not play Sunday against Chicago. Peterman said he hopes to play next Sunday at Minnesota. ... RG Manuel Ramirez will make his first NFL start. He has played in only one NFL game since the Lions drafted him last year. He has had to work on his technique coming from pass-happy Texas Tech, but said he feels comfortable now. ... Foster suffered a hyperextended knee during practice Monday and had blood drained from it. Colletto said he will not play Sunday. Foster said he had to get back into the mix for next Sunday's game. ... Williams did not practice Thursday as a precaution after bumping a knee in practice Wednesday. He will play Sunday. ... Johnson will start Sunday, but Colletto said he still ideally would like to split the carries about 50-50 between Johnson and the rookie Smith.
PREDICTION
Bears 23, Lions 17.
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