Detroit Lions: Will this be Justin Fields’ coming out party?
By Robert Jones
Defense will be the difference between victory and defeat
The Bears have added some skill players in recent years that could make their offense pretty good with some consistent play from the quarterback position. The problem is that Chicago head coach Matt Nagy has ignored what Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have made the Lions’ foundation; talent on the offensive line.
Last week the Bears’ porous offensive line did their best to get Fields killed. Can the Lions’ suddenly surging defensive line take advantage of it?
While the Lions’ defense did make mistakes that helped cost Detroit the win last week, outside of one 32 yard run by Lamar Jackson, the Motown defenders kept Jackson in the pocket and harassed him almost the whole game.
Can Detroit’s front seven show up in the Windy City with the same motor they had last week?
This is a contest that both teams are looking at as a get-well game. The Bears probably feel like they can win, and the Lions should certainly believe they can win it too. In the end what will be the difference?
I would defer to the oldest adage in the game; defense wins championships.
Neither the Lions nor Bears will win a championship when they square off against each other or even this season, but this is a chance for Detroit to have a statement game.
By virtue of the offensive line and Goff at quarterback, the Lions have the edge on offense. the Bears still have the edge on defense, but Detroit doesn’t have to be better on defense than their Windy City rivals, they just have to be good enough to contain Chicago’s offense.
If the Lions can contain Lamar Jackson and make it difficult for him to make plays outside of some busted coverages, then there is no excuse for these Motor City cats to not put a stranglehold on the Bears’ offense.
That is unless history continues to repeat itself and the Lions defense rolls over to allow Justin Fields and the rest of the Bears three-headed quarterback to light them up.
The difference between winning and losing in Chicago is defense, plain and simple. If the Lions’ defense shows up and doesn’t allow Justin Fields, Andy Dalton, or Nick Foles to have a big day, then Detroit will win. If not, then this will be just another typical loss like the Motor City faithful have experienced far too often over the last 60 years.
