Oct 10, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; A Monday Night Football sign before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Monday Night Football

This countdown ends where the Lions season truly took flight. With so many important free agent signings, games, drives, and moments, it is difficult to decide which one truly is the “best” of the season. It is also inevitable that great moments will be omitted, such as the Harbaugh handshake, or Calvin Johnson serving up slice after slice of humble pie to Cris Carter. For this season however, and for this life-long Lions fan, nothing comes close to the excitement or the atmosphere throughout Detroit for Monday Night Football.

This moment tops the list for several reasons.  Detroit entered the season surrounded by hype that was, to many, undeserved and unearned. A four game winning streak to open the season only added to the excitement, and fueled the national media fire. At the same time, many doubters argued that nothing had yet been proven, as they questioned the Lions strength of schedule. The week five matchup with the Bears brought several opportunities for Detroit. First, it offered the chance to measure themselves against a proven team, who had won NFC North the previous season, and were the favorites of many once again. Second, Monday Night Football offered the opportunity to showcase the talent of a young, up and coming team on national television; something that the Lions only experienced on Thanksgiving Day in recent years. (more…)

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

As you’re surely aware, Roger Goodell delivered his own State of the NFL speech last Thursday as part of his pre-Super Bowl press conference, and progressed some emerging ideas that have been floating around over the past few months. The most interesting element that grabbed my attention was the addition of Thursday Night primetime games from weeks 2-15. Every team in the league will now have a game on the NFL Network on a Thursday at some point in the upcoming season.

This concept irks me and should irk the Lions as well.

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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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