Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons the Lions Will Destroy the Bears

In less than a week, the Detroit Lions will square off against the Chicago Bears in front of a nationally televised audience on Monday Night Football. This is the first NFC North showdown for both teams and a potential conference championship preview. 

So expect this one to be a street fight. 

The game finds both teams in unique situations. The Detroit Lions have been tabbed by many to be the favorites, doesn't happen often. The Lions are 4-0 and have won games in impressive fashion with a dynamic, high scoring offense and punishing defense. They've quickly become the experts' en vogue Super Bowl pick.

For the Chicago Bears, this is a nearly must-win game. The only undefeated teams in the NFL, the Lions and the Green Bay Packers, are in the Bears' division. The Bears' record is 2-2 and they need a win to keep their conference hopes alive.

Ford Field will be rocking, that's for sure. And when the dust settles, the Detroit Lions will walk away 5-0 with another impressive win. 

Here is how they'll do it.

The Monday Night Football Factor

I don't know how many times the Chicago Bears have played on Monday Night Football, but I do know this—it is many more times than the Detroit Lions. 

And because of this, I don't think the Bears will be nearly as amped up as the Detroit Lions. Don't get me wrong, Monday Night Football ups the ante when it comes to hype and extra motivation for any team. There's something special about playing under the lights and being the only game everyone is watching. 

But because the Lions rarely get into this spotlight, it is extra special for them.

You will probably hear Lions players and coaches  tell you that this is just like any other game. Yeah right. The Lions want to make a statement on national TV that they are for real. They are a young team that still considers themselves the underdogs. They are a franchise that has been torn down, and this team has taken on the responsibility of building it back up. 

What better opportunity than on Monday Night Football?

There is of course the danger the Detroit Lions will come out so ramped up, it will affect their play on the field. But given the last two games, you have to put your trust in Jim Schwartz and his coaching staff to be able to focus his team on the task at hand.

Matthew Stafford Is a Better Quarterback Than Jay Cutler

The quarterback position is the most important one on the field, and the Detroit Lions have one of the best in the NFL right now in Matthew Stafford. 

Jay Cutler is no slouch. You might even say they are similar players. Both have absolute cannons for arms, both are primarily pocket passers and both have had issues with their offensive lines. 

Although, admittedly, Cutler's offensive line is much worse.

But this is football. There are no excuses. The truth is, Matthew Stafford leads Jay Cutler in every offensive category by far this year. He is the seventh-rated passer in the league through four weeks. 

Cutler is 26th.

Stafford has more touchdowns and yards, a higher completion percentage, and 11 touchdowns to Cutler's five. Plus, Stafford has one less interception, despite throwing the ball 30 more times.

But the most damning thing against Cutler is that he lacks the "it" factor that Stafford is blessed with. Stafford has the ability to take control of a huddle and make millionaire athletes believe in him and want to follow him. 

Stafford has been key in rallying the troops when down, evidenced by two historic comebacks. He also doesn't pout or throw in the towel when things go wrong. 

We all know Jay Cutler's history and the same cannot be said for him.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention one other thing. Stafford has Calvin Johnson to throw to. Enough said.

The Detroit Lions' Defensive Line

For all the talk about the Lions' dominating defensive line, they really haven't done much dominating yet this year. Don't get me wrong, they haven't played badly. In fact, when they've absolutely needed stops, they've been great. 

But they've only held one team under 100 yards rushing this year, and they haven't gotten after the quarterback very much at all. Kyle Vanden Bosch leads the team with three sacks.

That's a big reason why two teams have been able to get huge leads on the Lions. Because their quarterbacks had too much time to pick the Lions' secondary apart.

The Lions' defensive line is intent on finally dominating, and Monday Night Football is a good place to do it. Chicago's offensive line has been porous and Jay Cutler will be running for his life.

Home Field Advantage

I've said it already. Ford Field will be rocking. If you think Detroit Lions players will be pumped for this game, you haven't seen anything.

Detroit Lion fans will be insane. There will be a sea of Honolulu Blue and Silver jerseys, painted faces, crazy signs, and more furry lion body suits than you can shake a stick at.

It will be loud, hostile, and I guarantee there won't be a single fan with a paper bag over their head.

In addition, Ford Field is only a couple years old and has never hosted a Monday Night Football event. The Lions have played in so few of these games that it probably seems like the first time for a lot of fans.

The last time the Lions hosted MNF was in 1995. That game was at the Pontiac Silverdome, which coincidentally is now being used as a flea market. But more importantly, the Lions were victorious that night. 

So the Lions not only have home field but also history on their side. 

Revenge, Plain and Simple

Let's recall last year's games, shall we? 

The Chicago Bears won both games by a total of nine points. Both games were filled with controversy, and from the Detroit Lions' perspective, both wins were fraudulent.

Game 1—Calvin Johnson catches the game winning touchdown in the corner of the end zone.  Game over. Wait, what? Not a touchdown? But that was a catch! DOH! Bears win.

That was a catch. No one can provide a valid explanation to why it wasn't. The Lions should have started 2010 1-0. Instead, they lost and went on to lose three more to start the season 0-4. I'm not saying the win would have changed anything, but for a team struggling to get out of a decades-old funk, what a kick in the teeth.

Game 2—Ndamunkong Suh "pushes" Cutler in the shoulder pads. Cutler goes down like he was hit by a semi truck. Ed "Hercules" Hochuli dubiously flags Suh for unnecessary roughness. The next play, Cutler peels himself off the ground and throws the game winning TD. DOH! Game over. Bears win. Lions record moves to 2-10.

The call was horrible. The roughness was necessary. It's football for gosh sakes. 

Maybe Monday night, Suh will body slam Cutler to the ground. At least then he will earn the flag.

So yeah, the Detroit Lions, and their fans, didn't forget.