The Detroit Lions need to rebound from a bad loss this week, and these five players must play well Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
The Detroit Lions started this season 1-6, but it’s not hyperbole to say the had their worst game of the season in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. The theme around the building this week has been moving on with lessons learned, and getting ready for the Chicago Bears in Week 17.
The Bears are 3-12, and they’ve lost eight in a row. They’ve been competitive for chunks of some games, including Week 10 against the Lions, but they ultimately haven’t had quite enough to finish.
The Lions are big favorites at home, and Sunday’s game is one they really must win to keep their playoff chances afloat. A playoff team, or one that hopes to be in the playoffs with some help, will take care of business against a bad team.
The Lions need to, and frankly should, put a mark in the win column this week. To get it done, these five players will have to play well.
5 Detroit Lions who must play well in Week 17 vs. Chicago Bears
5. LB Alex Anzalone
After a poor first season with the Lions last year Anzalone has had a solid season this year, with a team-leading 110 tackles along with six pass breakups, six tackles for loss, one interception and 1.5 sacks. Most notably, via Pro Football Reference, he has cut his missed tackle rate in roughly half compared to 2021 (7.6 percent; 16.1 percent last year).
If the Lions’ run defense is going to be better this week, of course including containing quarterback Justin Fields, Anzalone will play a central role. He rarely leaves the field, and if Aaron Glenn decides to use a spy on Fields it will him.
4. S Kerby Joseph
Joseph has stepped into a big role since Tracy Walker went down with an Achilles’ injury in Week 3, with the expected ups and downs a rookie with one full year of college experience as a safety would have.
One of the down moments this year was in Week 10 against the Bears. Tight end Cole Kmet burned the Lions for 74 yards and two touchdowns in that game, with Joseph as the primary culprit on both scores. The rookie safety also whiffed on a tackle attempt when Fields ran for a long touchdown.
With DeShon Elliott (shoulder) looking likely to miss a second straight game, but really independent of that, Joseph has to tighten things up in the rematch against the Bears.
3. QB Jared Goff
Goff had a very nice month of December, and he’ll certainly get votes for NFC Player of the Month if he doesn’t win it. His raw numbers against the Panthers were pretty good (355 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, 110.7 passer rating), however volume-driven as the Lions trailed 31-7 at the peak of their deficit. But he also didn’t complete at least 60 percent of his passes (25-for-42) for the first time since Week 9.
Goff’s interception-less streak is now at seven full games and 261 pass attempts overall. The Bears have 13 interceptions this season, but a big chunk of those are either out (Eddie Jackson), or no longer on the team (Roquan Smith). Their defense is, quite simply, thin on talent and experience right now and it has shown lately.
Goff thrives at home, and when he’s not pressured heavily. The Bears have a league-low sacks this season, with the expected low-level pressure (16.5 percent) and knockdown (4.1 percent) rates.
It’s all lined up for Goff to burn the Bears on Sunday, and have another interception-free outing in a virtual must-win game for the Lions.
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.