Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 8 - Preview

Posted by Mack

October 27, 2007 |

  • Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 8 - Preview

Detroit Lions logoChicago Bears logo

Detroit Lions 4-2 vs Chicago Bears 3-4

Sunday October 28th, 2007 @ 1:00

Soldier Field, Chicago

TV: Fox Network Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Jennifer Hammond

Detroit travels to Chicago this weekend to take on the Bears at Soldier Field. 

  • Lions Offense vs Bears Defense

 

Detroit to be successful against the Bears defense must run the ball. Chicago’s defense ranks 3rd in the NFL getting sacks and the Lions offense have the most QB sacks in the Kevin Jonesleague. Detroit improved its running game by getting RB Kevin Jones back in the lineup fulltime last week against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Detroit looks to continue to improve their rushing rank, currently 27th in the NFL, against the Bears 26th ranked rushing defense. Look for the Lions to run the ball early to setup the 7th ranked passing offense for success. Once the Jon Kitnarunning game gets going the pressure from the Bears defensive front will not be as strong and QB Jon Kitna might be able to avoid the sacks that have plagued the passing game recently.  Look for the Bears to try and get pressure on Kitna with only the 4 defensive lineman, led by DT Tommie Harris and DE Adewale Ogunleye, and leave 7 back in coverage, especially if the Lions struggle running the ball. Chicago had 6 sacks of Kitna in the earlier game.  LB Brian Urlacher has been one man wrecking crew for the Lions rushing game in past visits to Soldier Field. If Detroit has any success running the ball, then some play action passes might help get the ball down field to WRs Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson and Shaun McDonald. Don’t be surprised if the Lions offensive coordinator, Mike Martz,  comes up with new ways to get the ball to Calvin Johnson now healthy and becoming a force in the NFL.

  • Bears Offense vs Lions Defense

Chicago’s rushing attack is 30th in the NFL and if the Bears try to run they will be going up against the Lions 19th ranked rushing defense. The Bears with QB Brian Griese at the helm recently have been moving up the passing ranking and now are 13th and expect to pass easily against the Lions 30th rated pass defenders. Griese will find it easy to get the ball to TEs Desmond Clard and Greg Olsen as the Lions Linebackers struggle defending the pass. WRs Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian will test the Lion CBs Stanely Wilson and Fernando Bryant. In the September matchup the Bears had the Lions beat except for three Griese interceptions. Detroit will stick with its Tampa Two defense and will try and get pressure on Griese with DEs Dewayne White and Kalimba Edwards. LB Ernie SimsErnie Sims will try and control the Bears rushing attacking with RB Cedric Benson getting most of the carries. Bear WR Devin Hester will get some work in the passing game but where he is really dangerous is in the return game. In the earlier matchup he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD and had a long punt return also that got the Bears in good field position. Detroit will try and kick away from Hester.

Photos Source: Detroit Lions

  • Thoughts from Your ‘Lion Eyes’ Blogger

Chicago played very well defensively against Detroit’s offense when they visited Detroit in late September. The Bears were done in by 3 QB Brian Griese interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown and the Lions scoring 34 points in the 4th quarter. We all know that the Lions struggle mightly on the road in the NFL. Probably this weekend will be more of the same. Chicago looks to get back in the hunt for the NFC North crown and even their record at 4-4 heading into their bye week next week. Expect similar road troubles for the Lions in Chicago. The Bears will pressure QB Kitna early and often which disrupts the Lions ability to pass and creates turnovers, as Kitna either will fumble or throw ill advised passes the Bears will pick off. Chicago will use the Cover Two defense, like everybody does against the Lions, to make the Lions prove they can beat it. I believe the Lions only hope is to get RB Kevin Jones running the ball well which will open up the passing game. The Bears will win the game and cover the spread easy as they have the last two seasons.  Once again I hope I am wrong and the Lions somehow win and get to 5-2 with the Denver Broncos coming to Ford Field for NFL Week 9. Head over to Chicago Bears and see what Winnie has to say about the game.

  • Poll - Cast Your Vote Now
  • Which Team will Prevail on Sunday October 28, 2007

    • Detroit Lions (65%, 11 Votes)
    • Chicago Bears (35%, 6 Votes)

    Total Voters: 17

    Loading ... Loading …

    • Injuries

    Injury Report Source: Detroit Lions
    Lions IR Week 8 Logo

    Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
    S Idrees Bashir - Doubtful Ribs No Practice No Practice No Practice
    DE Kalimba Edwards - Doubtful Knee No Practice No Practice No Practice
    S Gerald Alexandar - Probable Quad Limited Practice Full Practice No Practice
    CB Fernando Bryant - Probable Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
    WR Troy Walters - Probable Ribs Not Listed No Practice Limited Practice

    Chicago Bears IR Week 8 logo

    Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
    DT Tommie Harris - Not Listed Ribs No Practice Full Practice Not Listed
    S Brandon McGowan - Doubtful Elbow No Practice No Practice No Practice
    T Fred Miller - Not Listed Ankle No Practice No Practice Not Listed
    CB Nathan Vashar - Quest Groin No Practice No Practice Limited Practice
    LB Jamar Williams - Not Listed Illness No Practice Full Practice Not Listed
    G Ruben Brown- Not Listed Shoulder Limited Practice Full Practice Not Listed
    DT Darin Walker - Quest Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
    DE Alex Brown - Quest Back Not Listed No Practice Limited Practice

    NFL Injury Report Logo

    Reported Status Percent Chance to Play
    Probable 75% Chance Player will Play in Game
    Questionable 50% Chance Player will Play in Game
    Doubtful 25% Chance Player will Play in Game
    Out Player will not Play in Game

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    Comments

    1 Comment so far

    1. Detroit Lions 5-2 after 16-7 defeat of Chicago Bears : Detroit Lions on October 30, 2007 8:13 am

      [...] by the Bears. Laugh is on me as the Lions won for the 2nd time this season on the road. In the preview post I said I thought the only hope was for the Lions to get RB Kevin Jones running the ball [...]

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