WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL
KEY PLAYERS
Lions QB Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick of the 2009 draft, hasn’t had much luck against the Bears: He’s 1-5 with a 76.7 rating (eight TDs, eight INTs) against them. Stafford has a 99.9 rating in 2013 (six TDs, two INTs). Lance Briggs has seven missed tackles in three games. If he misses Lions RB Reggie Bush, it could be a long day for the Bears.
ON THE GROUND
Reggie Bush, who is expected to play after sitting out last week with a bum knee, gives the Lions’ running game a new dimension. Bush, though, has been more dangerous in the screen game (7-145, 77-yard TD) than in the running game (30-115, zero TDs). But containing him could leave the Bears vulnerable elsewhere. ‘‘You need to stay in front of Reggie and not allow him that crease to get started,’’ said Bears offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, who coached Bush with the Saints. ‘‘Once he gets started, he’s extremely fast.’’ The Bears are eighth against the run but will be without injured DT Henry Melton.
IN THE AIR
The Bears have had better success than most in containing the great Calvin Johnson: He averaged 53 ypg against the Bears and 132.7 ypg against the rest of the NFL in 2012. But Bears CB Charles Tillman, who is most responsible for that success, is questionable with knee and groin injuries. If Tillman can’t play, the Bears will be challenged to stop Johnson with Zack Bowman and Tim Jennings, especially if their pass rush doesn’t take another step forward after an improved effort against the Steelers. The absence of WR Nate Burleson (broken arm) can’t be ignored, especially if the Bears can contain Johnson.