Monday Night Football visits the city of Detroit for the first time since 2001, when the St. Louis Rams embarrassed the Lions on national television. The Chicago Bears come into town sporting a 2-2 record, in a divisional contest that could have major implications down the road. One of the most crucial matchups to watch is the ability of the Lions’ front four to take advantage of a Bear offensive line that led the league in sacks allowed last season. The Lion defensive line has failed to produce consistent pressure through four victories, but against this offense the Lions will have difficulty escaping with a victory if Cutler has time to throw.

The reason is Chicago’s current offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, who held the same position for the Lions for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Martz employs an aerial attack that features down field passing. This plays into a major weakness of the Lion defense, the secondary. In the previous four games Detroit has succeeded in limiting big plays by allowing short pass completions, and then tackling efficiently. Strong linebacker play has allowed the Detroit defense to bend, but not break. If Cutler is given ample time to throw, he will be able to pick apart a Lion secondary that has struggled in down field coverage. A strong pass rush will force Cutler to get rid of the ball quickly, and allow the Lion linebackers and safeties to make tackles, limiting Bear receivers to short gains.

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The Lions will travel to Dallas this week to face a Cowboys team fresh off of an ugly divisional win over the rival Redskins. Dallas will have a short week of preparation and will likely focus on repairing their lackluster passing game, as well as an unproductive red zone offense. The key to addressing both of these deficiencies is one in the same, and his name is Jason Witten. The All-Pro tight end has long been the focal point of the Cowboy offense, and quarterback Tony Romo will be focused on feeding him the ball early and often.

Detroit will use a variety of personnel and coverage schemes to negate Witten throughout the afternoon, but success rests in the hands of Western Michigan product Louis Delmas. Witten has long been a matchup nightmare for opponents, with an athletic advantage over most linebackers, and a significant size advantage over most safeties. Detroit will most likely use a combination of Delmas and linebacker DeAndre Levy in coverage, as well as nickelback Eric Wright when Witten lines up as the slot receiver. All must contribute in some capacity in order to effectively neutralize the tight end, but Delmas’ role will be most crucial. Jason Garrett’s offense is built for down field passing, and flourishes when able to exploit the middle of the field and open up the sidelines for Dallas wide receivers. Delmas will often be responsible for covering Witten downfield, and preventing him from making the types of plays that serve as a lightning rod for Romo and the Cowboy offense. If Delmas and the Lions can hold Jason Witten in check, the Dallas passing game should be largely ineffective.

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