Detroit Lions (2-6) at Chicago Bears (3-6)
The coaches: Lions-Dan Campbell (10-26-1 overall, 5-19-1 with Lions); Bears-Matt Eberflus (3-6 overall, 3-6 with Bears).
Last game: Lions beat Green Bay Packers, 15-9. Bears lost to Miami Dolphins, 35-32.
Last meeting: Nov. 25, 2021: Bears won, 16-14.
Key matchups
Bears QB Justin Fields vs. Lions pass rush: Fields has given off some Lamar Jackson vibes at quarterback of late. He has run for 47 or more yards in seven straight games and is coming off a record-setting 178-yard day. The Lions have struggled against running quarterbacks this season, in part because their young linemen tend to be undisciplined in their pass rush. Campbell said the plan is to “the cast the net (and) close the net,” meaning the Lions want to box Fields in with their pass rush and choke off his escape routes. Fields is an elusive runner and even better athlete than some of the dual-threat quarterbacks (Jalen Hurts, Geno Smith) who have hurt the Lions this year. The Lions cannot freelance up front and expect to win the game.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Bears CB Kyler Gordon: Jared Goff’s passing numbers have shriveled as the Lions’ skill positions have been ravaged by injuries. St. Brown is the Lions’ most dangerous remaining receiver, but his production has dipped since his hot start due to a variety of factors. The Lions need to create big plays with their passing game, and St. Brown is their best hope if they can get him in space. The Bears don’t have many recognizable faces on defense after trading Roquan Smith (Baltimore) and Robert Quinn (Philadelphia). Kyler Gordon, their second-round pick, has had some rough moments as a slot defender this year but has flashed playmaking ability with one interception and one forced fumble. This is a favorable matchup for the Lions, and one they need to exploit.
Scouting report
Lions run offense vs. Bears run defense
With D’Andre Swift still bothered by shoulder and ankle injuries, Jamaal Williams has taken on the lead role in the Lions’ backfield by committee. He is on pace for the first 1,000-yard season of his career and has scored touchdowns in bunches (two in four different games) with his physical running style.
Swift played 10 snaps last week with five touches. He could see a tick up in work this week as his health has slowly improved. Whenever he’s on the field, the Lions will look to get him the ball. Justin Jackson ran for 27 yards in his most extensive action as a Lion last week and will be in the rotation, too.
More:How Jamaal Williams has emerged as Detroit Lions’ No. 1 running back
The Bears rank 30th against the run at 147.2 yards per game allowed, though they’ve held two of their past three opponents below 80 yards on the ground. Nicholas Morrow took on more responsibilities at linebacker last week after the Smith trade, and rookie Jack Sanborn had seven tackles in his first career start. Edge: Lions
Lions pass offense vs. Bears pass defense
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson lamented this week the Lions’ lack of big plays and how that has stunted their scoring. Goff did not attempt a pass that traveled more than 20 yards in the air against the Packers and has not completed a pass to the deep middle of the field since Week 3.
Josh Reynolds will miss his second straight game with a back injury, leaving Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy and perhaps the recently reacquired Trinity Benson to fill in behind St. Brown. The Bears lack much pass rush and have a young secondary, so the Lions should be able to scheme up shots downfield behind their veteran offensive line.
The Bears have a top-10 pass defense in terms of yards allowed, but they’re giving up more than 7.2 yards per pass play, rank 25th in the league in sack percentage and 31st on third downs. They have not had a sack from a defensive lineman since mid-October, but do have two talented safeties patrolling the secondary in Eddie Jackson and rookie Jaquan Brisker. Edge: Lions
Bears run offense vs. Lions run defense
No team has run the ball better recently than the Bears, who have topped 230 yards rushing in four straight games. Fields is a terror in the read-option game and scrambling when pass plays break down.
David Montgomery remains the starter at running back, but the Bears have gotten more production out of second-year back Khalil Herbert. Both Herbert and Fields are on pace for more than 1,100 yards rushing this season and have excelled despite a mediocre offensive line.
The Lions have the NFL’s 31st-ranked rush defense at 148.8 yards per game and have struggled mightily with running quarterbacks dating to the preseason. Both Jalen Hurts and Geno Smith had big days with their feet, and nearly 20% of the rushing yards the Lions have allowed his season have come from quarterbacks. Linebackers Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes are coming off their best games of the season, but the Lions’ perimeter run defense remains a problem. Edge: Bears.
Bears pass offense vs. Lions pass defense
As good as Fields is as a runner, he remains a work in progress throwing, completing a poor 58.8% of his passes in his second season, and has topped 200 yards in a game once this season. He’s interception prone, not apt to let plays develop in the pocket and does not have much of a supporting cast.
Darnell Mooney is Chicago’s best weapon in the pass game. He torched the Lions for 248 yards receiving in two games last season and is a blur with the ball in his hands. Chase Claypool, acquired before the deadline in a trade with Pittsburgh, gives Fields a big vertical threat on the outside. Tight end Cole Kmet, second on the team with 19 catches, has been Fields’ favorite target in the red zone.
The Lions secondary played its best game of the season last week against the Packers and has benefitted from a recent shuffling of scheme and personnel. The Lions are playing more zone coverage, and keeping their cornerbacks on sides as opposed to traveling them across the field. Jerry Jacobs and Mike Hughes will share the cornerback job opposite Jeff Okudah, Will Harris has taken over nickel duties and rookie Kerby Joseph has forced four turnovers in the past three games at safety. Edge: Lions
More:Detroit Lions GM has knack for finding gems at safety — and may have found his best yet
Special teams
Both the Lions and Bears are middle-of-the-pack according to Football Outsiders’ metrics, but the Lions appear to have stabilized their kicking game with the addition of Michael Badgley. He is 4-for-4 on field goals with the Lions, and made all four of his kicks in one game with the Bears earlier this season. Punter Jack Fox has seen his net average plummet as the Lions’ punt cover unit has struggled of late, and Jackson likely will return kicks for the second straight week for Chicago.
The Bears replaced fumble-prone rookie Velus Jones Jr. with Dante Pettis on punt returns last week, but that did not solve all their issues. Miami blocked a punt they returned for a touchdown, and Chicago has gotten minimal production out its return game. Soldier Field is one of the toughest places to kick in the NFL, but Cairo Santos is a perfect 13-for-13 on field goals with makes on all four of his tries of 50-plus yards. Edge: Bears
More:Confused about whether to root for Detroit Lions to win the rest of the season? Don’t be.
Prediction
The Lions got a much-needed morale boost with their win over the Packers last week, and they’re counting on that momentum to springboard them to their first road victory under Campbell on Sunday. Stopping Fields and the Bears’ rushing attack won’t be easy. Chicago’s running game is sneaky and versatile and exceptionally hard to defend. But the Bears do not do much else well on either side of the ball. This could be a get-well game for a Lions offense that has averaged 12 points per game over the past month. If Goff avoids turnovers and the Lions are halfway competent defensively, they should win. Pick: Lions 31, Bears 24.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.