WHENTHE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
ON THE GROUND
Matt Forte (102 carries, 438 yards, 4.3 avg., 1 TD) leads the NFL in rushing (he’s fifth in ypg with 87.6), but the key stat is his 102 carries, the most through five games since his rookie year (2008). Even with the Bears falling behind 17-3 against the Chiefs, Forte still had 18 carries for 71 yards. That commitment to the run game still is the key to the Bears’ offense. With LT Jermon Bushrod likely to return and rookie C Hroniss Grasu having a game under his belt after his NFL debut, the Bears have a chance to produce against a Lions defense that is 27th against the run (21st in ypc) and allowed 187 yards against the Cardinals last week, including Andre Ellington’s 63-yard TD.
PLAYERS TOWATCH
Grasu fared well in his NFL debut after an early mishap against the Chiefs, but he won’t have to deal with Lions Pro Bowl DT Haloti Ngata, who is out with a calf injury. DE Ziggy Ansah has five sacks, including one or more in four of five games. He’ll be up against either Jermon Bushrod in his first game in three weeks or Charles Leno Jr., making his third career start at LT.
IN THE AIR
Jay Cutler was at his best at Ford Field before the Marc Trestman era— 3-1 with a 108.8 rating (7 TDs, 0 INTs). But in two games in Trestman’s offense, Cutler was prolific (280, 317 yards, 4 TDs) but overall ineffective (0-2, 71.3 rating, 5 INTs). His developing rapport with Marquess Wilson (12-165, 1 TD in his last two games), Josh Bellamy (6-31 vs. Chiefs) and Cameron Meredith (4-52 vs. Chiefs) is promising, but the return of Alshon Jeffery would provide the biggest boost. Opposing QBs have a 116.4 rating against the Lions (9 TDs, 3 INTs), with Peyton Manning the low man at 101.7. Protection is always an X-factor with Cutler. The Lions are eighth in sacks per pass play with 12.