As the Chicago Bears (3-5) prepare to face off against divisional rivals the Detroit Lions (3-4-1), it’s win at all costs.
While the Bears have had their share of struggles, the Lions are struggling, too, having lost four of its last five games. But that’s no reason to believe this game will be a gimme for a desperate Bears team.
Here are three causes for concern as the Bears prepare to face the Lions in Week 10:
1. The Bears are 1-3 at home
Nothing has been going right for the Bears lately, especially at home. The Bears have lost four straight games, and of their five total losses this season, three of them have come at home. What home field advantage?
The Bears were playing better on the road prior to their four-game losing skid, which certainly helps when your offense isn’t being booed by the home crowd when they fail to accomplish anything.
Chicago’s last win, coincidentally, came at home, when they dominated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6 in Week 4. Perhaps the Bears can find a way to best the Lions at Soldier Field, where they’ve only beaten one team this season.
2. Bears offense was historically bad last week
The Bears offense is easily one of, if not the worst offenses in the entire NFL. Whether it’s quarterback Mitchell Trubisky or the offensive line, the entire unit hasn’t done well this season.
In fact, they had a historically bad first half last week against the Eagles, where they amassed only nine yards in the first half against a struggling Eagles passing defense.
While Chicago will face one of the league’s worst defenses in the Lions, who rank 27th in both rushing and passing yards allowed, the Bears offense hasn’t proved that they’re capable of executing even against a bad defense, outside of the second quarter against the Washington Redskins in Week 3.
3. Lions QB Matthew Stafford is having one of his best seasons
Last season, the Bears defense owned Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford both times the two teams faced off, where he tossed four interceptions between the two games. But Chicago is going to have to mount one of its best defensive efforts this week against Detroit.
Stafford has been having perhaps his best season, where he’s thrown for 2,499 yards with 19 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 106.0 passer rating, which ranks fifth in the NFL.
The Bears defense hasn’t been doing well of late, but if the Bears have any chance of beating the Lions on Sunday, they’re going to need to get after Stafford and force him into the mistakes he made last season.
