5 Detroit Lions who must play well vs. Chicago Bears in Week 17

Speaking of things lining up for success against the Bears. The Lions ground game has struggled lately. Week 16 against the Panthers was a low point, as they averaged a season-worst 2.6 yards per carry.

But Chicago has the league’s third-worst run defense entering Week 17, and they’ve been a step or two worse over their last five games (169.6 rushing yards allowed per game; 5.3 yards per carry allowed over that span).

2. RB Jamaal Williams

Williams has not scored in three straight games. In four December games, he totaled 116 rushing yards on 47 carries (a shade less than 2.5 yards per carry). He suffered an apparently lower body injury against the Panthers, but with no appearances on the injury report this week it seems he’ll be fully good to go against the Bears.

Leaving aside the touchdown drought, Williams has not been running as well as he was early in the season. His 224 carries this season, with two games to go, is far and away his career high (previously 153 carries in 2021). So it’s fair to wonder, or even assume, he is wearing down.

As noted by Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, Williams forced a season-high five missed tackles against the Bears in Week 10 and 50 of his 59 rushing yards in that game came after first contact. He needs to find that form again this week.

1. RB D’Andre Swift

If Williams’ rushing numbers lately are concerning, and they are, then Swift’s somewhat have to be too (32 carries for 147 yards and one touchdown over the last four games, with 114 rushing yards combined in two of them). His involvement as a pass catcher has been notable, with at least five targets in four of the last five games, but he has topped 30 receiving yards just once in those five contests.

As a disappointing season for him winds down, Swift needs to push the narrative around him in a better direction as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract in 2023. The matchup against the Bears this week is too good for him to fall short. He has not been on the injury report lately, so being banged up is no longer an excuse. Whether he gets enough touches to have a big game on Sunday is a question, but one that’s in his control if he gets some early work and looks good.