WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
KEY PLAYERS
Lions DT Ndamukong Suh has more negative plays (22 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss) than any DT in the NFL since 2010 — and that doesn’t include the cheap shots. Bears rookie RG Kyle Long is an excitable, athletic lineman who should be a good counter for Suh, but he will need help from teammates — and likely some discipline — to get the job done.
ON THE GROUND
The Bears will be challenged to run against a Lions defense that has allowed 78 rushing yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry after Adrian Peterson’s 78-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage of the season. The Lions’ ends try to funnel the running game to their strength inside with DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. The Bears, though, have had success running the ball against the Lions. Matt Forte had strong games at Ford Field (24-103, one TD) and Soldier Field (22-96) last season, and the Bears’ 171 and 144 rushing yards were the third- and fifth-most against the Lions in 2012.
IN THE AIR
Despite operating under constant duress, Jay Cutler has a 108.8 passer rating against the Lions at Ford Field — the same as the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. He has completed 67.9 percent of his passes for 1,016 yards, seven TDs and no INTs in four games there. With better protection and more weapons, it figures he will have opportunities for more against a Lions pass defense that ranks 18th in the NFL (262 ypg). Cutler usually finds the soft spots in the Lions’ hit-and-miss secondary, which has rookie Darius Slay starting opposite Chris Houston at CB. Complementary receivers have played a big role against the Lions.