WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
Caleb Williams and the offense face a difficult challenge on a short week, on the road, against a Lions defense that ranks second in the NFL in points allowed, despite playing without injured Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the last six weeks. The Lions, in fact, have not allowed a touchdown in their last 10 quarters.
But the Bears’ offense has one thing going for it — momentum after back-to-back improved performances under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. After being held to 142 total yards against the Patriots in Shane Waldron’s final game as coordinator, the Bears have gained 391 and 398 yards against top-12 defenses — the Packers (11th in yards allowed) and Vikings (10th).
Brown’s biggest impact has been getting Williams into a groove with easier pass plays to open receivers. Williams has completed 73.1% of his passes (57 of 78) in the last two games — after completing just 50.5% (48 of 95) in the three games after the bye.
The key matchups will be Bears receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze against a short-handed Lions secondary. Carlton Davis, the Lions’ top cornerback, is out with knee and thumb injuries. Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, coming off a groin injury, takes over the No. 1 role.
But Brown also faces an interesting chess match against Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
“They kind of challenge you,” Brown said. “They make it difficult because they will present non-normal challenges. Trying to find the balance of how you call the game while still being able to handle the defense [dictating] what you do. It’s about being able to pick our spots.”
WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL
This could be a defining moment for a Bears defense that ranks eighth in the NFL in points allowed but has been springing leaks all season — especially lately — and now faces a Lions offense that ranks first in scoring, second in total yards, fourth in rushing yards and sixth in passing yards.
“What can I say about this [Lions] offense? Very prolific,” Washington said. “We’re going to have to do a very good job of [defending] the run, attack the line of scrimmage, create negative plays and put this team in third-and-seven-plus situations. That’s our formula.”
It will not be easy against a Lions offense that has a quarterback in Jared Goff who is second in the NFL in passer rating (109.9 — 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions) but really starts with running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (154 carries, 886 yards, 5.8 average, 10 touchdowns) and former Bear David Montgomery (145-632-4.4-11).
The key matchup will be the Bears’ defensive front against a Lions offensive line that is among the best in the league. Left tackle Taylor Decker (knee) is out. Veteran Dan Skipper will replace him. When Skipper played for Decker against the Texans in Week 10, Goff threw five interceptions, but he wasn’t sacked in a 26-23 victory.