NFL Predictions Week 5: 4 Reasons the Detroit Lions Remain Undefeated

This 2011 NFL season for the city of Detroit and its football fans has already been viewed as a gift from the football gods. With two comeback victories after trailing by at least 20 points in each game, the Lions are doing exactly what they didn't do last year: finish games in the second half and win on the road.

They look more like a championship team than ever before, and they finally get the chance to showcase themselves in their upcoming Monday Night Football matchup against division rival Chicago.

Here's four big reasons why the Lions' perfect season will continue following Monday night's game.

Lions Passing Offense vs. Bears Pass Defense

The Lions' passing offense this year has been simply incredible. No other player in history has as many touchdown receptions as Calvin Johnson through the first four games of the season (eight).

Johnson is  regarded as an elite NFL wide receiver, while being hailed as the best in the league here in Detroit. For some reason, team after team after team, continues to single cover him—and he and quarterback Matthew Stafford make those teams pay.

The Lions are currently seventh in passing offense this year, while the Bears rank in at a lowly 29th in passing defense. The Lions should be able to effectively throw the ball, especially if Chicago double-teams Johnson.

If they do, expect a receiver like Nate Burleson to have a big day. Also, expect Stafford to not only hook up with Johnson often, but look for players like tight end Brandon Pettigrew and running back Jahvid Best to get touches from him as well.

The Lions Have Calvin Johnson, the Bears Don't

It's as simple as that. Johnson owns a record-breaking eight touchdowns in the first four games and is having a MVP-caliber season. In Detroit, Johnson is hailed as the NFL's best receiver, a title that has gone to Houston's Andre Johnson in recent years.

Calvin's 6'5" frame and 235-pound body make him a tough matchup on defense, considering most cornerbacks are nearly a third of Megatron's size.

The Bears' defense runs a Cover 2 and will definitely have to make big adjustments to their defense to handle Johnson. Because Johnson has raw speed and a big body, he's difficult to beat downfield and nearly impossible to defend on a jump ball.

The Bears are going to need to bump-and-run Johnson from the line of scrimmage every single play and get help from the safeties downfield.  Because the Bears have to play Johnson honestly and respect his abilities, this sets up the Lions running game, which will hopefully improve after a slow start.

The Offensive Line Will Have a Big, Big Day

The main matchup to watch here is offensive tackle Jeff Backus versus Bears defensive end Julius Peppers. Backus has had an up-and-down year as an edge protector against pass-rushers, but last week against the Cowboys, Backus played a solid game.

An often scapegoat and critics' favorite target in Detroit, Backus made sure that Pro-Bowler DeMarcus Ware was not going to touch his quarterback last Sunday, allowing no sacks. Although Backus usually struggles in open space blocking, he should be alright on Monday night if he can get some extra blocking help from his tight ends.

Will Heller should be expected to be the main blocking tight end, while Pettigrew and fellow tight end Tony Scheffler will do most of the receiving for the corps.

It's Monday Night...In Detroit!

Two days from now, Detroit fans will be exactly ten years removed from their last Monday Night Football appearance. On Oct. 8, 2001, the Lions hosted the St. Louis Rams and were absolutely embarrassed 35-0.

It was clear that the Lions needed a break from that Monday night spotlight, but it appears that they are finally ready for prime time again. Too bad it's been a 10-year wait for the Detroit faithful.

The entire city is buzzing over this 2011 Lions team. They're the number one story in the city, even with the Detroit Tigers in a race for the pennant. It's the Lions first Monday Night Game in ten years. The game is being hosted at Ford Field, "The Lions' Den," and the team is riding an eight-game win streak dating back to last season.

Hopes have never been higher for a Detroit football team, and this coming Monday is their chance to prove to the entire nation that the Lions have arrived.

The Lions will come out inspired in front of a raucous home crowd and win one for the whole city of Detroit.

My prediction: Lions 27, Bears 17.