Bears-Lions Final Thoughts: 10 Things We Learned
While a win is a win and the Bears did beat the Lions in their first game of the season, there are several things that we can look at that are both good and bad coming out of this game for the Bears.
Let’s take a look at 10 things we learned when the Bears hosted and beat the Detroit Lions this Sunday and see what they did well and what they have to improve on for the next game (against Dallas).
The Bears Have Butterfingers
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The Bears had four turnovers in this game, three fumbles (Matt Forte, Jay Cutler, and Greg Olsen) and one interception.
Two of those turnovers led to touchdowns for the Lions, and the Bears were very lucky that Detroit was unable to convert the other two into scores.
Against a stronger team, losing four turnovers would have surely cost the Bears a victory, so they got lucky here. They have to hold onto the ball.
Julius Peppers Is the Real Deal
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In his first game as Bear, Peppers showed that so far, he’s worth the money that Chicago’s management shelled out to get him.
His key play came when he sacked Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford forcing a fumble, which was recovered by defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Even though it’s his first game against a mediocre team, it shows us that there are many big things ahead for Peppers and the Bears defense.
Mike Martz’s Offense Does Work! Kinda
3 of 10
There are still some things that the Bears need to do to make this offense work, but they are starting to pick it up and it’s starting to work.
The passes to wide receiver Devin Aromashodu were evidence that the system is working, while the misstep with Johnny Knox cutting his route short (and Jay Cutler subsequently overthrowing him) is evidence that things still need some fine-tuning with the offense.
Things will definitely get better as the season continues.
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Matt Forte’s Back
4 of 10
Sure, it’s just one game, but after scoring two touchdowns, rushing for 50 yards and catching 151 yards in passes, Forte appears as if he’s back and things are going well with the Bears' third-year running back.
Forte looked like guy the Bears got three years ago (in his rookie season), as he ran with authority and caught the ball very well. Hopefully, he can continue to do this all season long.
Fantasy Note: For anyone who left Forte alone during their fantasy football drafts might be kicking themselves right now. If he’s still out there, grab him while you can.
Jay Cutler Tries to Do Too Much
5 of 10
Even though there were times when he had to take off and run to help keep the drive alive, there were times in this game where Cutler tried to do much more than perhaps he should have.
He also held onto the ball too long on a few occasions, leading to sacks and that fumble.
Granted, Cutler didn’t have a lot of time to make plays yesterday thanks to his offensive line, but there are some occasions where he has plenty of time to make a decision to throw the ball away.
Hopefully, he gets more time to make better decisions.
Was the Secondary Even There on Sunday?
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The Lions didn’t throw the ball that much further down the field (past five to seven yards) until the fourth quarter, so we didn’t get to see much of the secondary in this game.
From what we could see, we could tell that they were doing a pretty decent job covering Lions receivers down the field, especially Calvin Johnson.
Safety Danieal Manning had that great play in the end zone to knock the ball away from Johnson and seal the Bears' victory. Hopefully the guys in the secondary can continue to play well this season.
Special Teams Woes Are Over
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Remember when the Bears had three punts blocked in the preseason?
Well in this game, they didn’t have any blocked and the difference was that they were using some of last year’s players (those who had played on punt coverage teams last season) on punt coverage teams in this game and they did very well.
No one got close to punter Brad Maynard in this game.
Linebackers Shine
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With all three of their linebackers back in action (Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, and Pisa Tinoisamoa) the Bears stopped the Lions running game almost dead in its tracks and all three made critical plays when it counted.
Urlacher played like a rookie trying to make the team, with reckless abandon, and he made plays all over the field (including a sack).
Tinoisamoa was quiet but held his own against big Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Briggs caused and recovered a fumble close to Chicago’s own end zone.
As long as these guys can stay healthy, they will continue to play well and be the backbone of the Bears defense.
Smith’s Folly
9 of 10
By now, each and every Bears fan knows about the call that head coach Lovie Smith made on fourth and goal from the Lions' half-yard line.
After failing to punch it in on three consecutive tries, Chicago faced a fourth and goal and being down by just one could have opted to go for the field goal and go up by two points.
Instead of doing that, Smith decided to go for it on fourth and goal and the offense failed to convert.
Had the Bears lost the Lions, fans and media would have hung Smith out to dry. Did he make the right call? That’s clearly up for debate.
Third-Down Woes?
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Remember last season when the Bear’s defense allowed opponents to keep drives alive by letting them convert third down and long opportunities?
Well, that didn’t happen in this game, and the defense may have played as well as they have played in a long time.
Granted, they gave up two touchdowns on the ground, but the offense turned over the ball to put them in a bad spot both times.
Could the defense finally be making its way back to respectability?
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