Bears vs. Lions: 5 Lions To Watch on Monday Night Football

There are five Lions to watch Monday, the first of two Thanksgiving Day contests for the Detroit Lions.  Those ironically tricky schedule-makers gave the Lions their first Monday Night Football game in a decade on the same day as our Canadian friends to the north celebrate their Thanksgiving.

That’s right, as we prepare for an electric evening of Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Ann Arbor’s own Mike Tirico broadcasting the Lions-Bears matchup to the nation, the Hosers that reside under the Red Maple will be swilling Labatts and getting their second or third helping of turkey and dressing in the comfort of their Joey Tribbiani Thanksgiving pants.

Hank Williams Jr. is out with a blown ego and strained larynx this evening and Barry Sanders will step in to relieve the rowdy one.  Here are the Van Etten V!

Stephen Tulloch

The Lions middle linebacker will have his hands full with Matt Forte all night.  The Chicago offense uses Forte more than Two and a Half Men writers reference Ashton Kutcher’s manhood (poor Demi, should have stayed with John McClane).  The Chicago running back accounts for 57 percent of all offensive plays for the Bears and has more receptions than Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Roy Williams combined.

The screen pass will be critical tonight.  Stop it and the Lions win; don’t stop it and the 1972 Dolphins are only one team away from popping the champagne again.

Brandon Pettigrew

The Lions tight end will have two critical assignments tonight.

First, help Jeff Backus keep Julius Peppers far, far away from Matthew Stafford.  Second, help Jeff Backus keep Julius Peppers far, far away from Matthew Stafford. 

Okay, a bit of an overkill, but Stafford in another sling will dash everything this team has done so far this season.  Look for Pettigrew to chip the Bears' No. 90 and also be a big part of the pass game tonight.

Jeff Backus

Did I mention how important Matthew Stafford is?  His performance against Peppers will be the difference between a blowout and a heart-ripping upset.

Cliff Avril

The Bears offensive line is awful.  Mike Martz puts his quarterbacks in harm’s way constantly on seven-step drops and pass patterns with multiple zigs and zags.  

Cliff Avril is the Unknown Soldier and could make a huge impact on a nationally televised game.  Don’t forget, he signed a one-year restricted free-agent tender this year and will be a free agent next year if a long-term deal is not reached.  MNF brings out the best in players that nobody knows and are looking to get paid.  

Jason Hanson/Ryan Donahue

I’m taking the liberty of putting the kicking pair together because the true focus is Devin Hester.  These two must keep the ball out of Devin Hester’s hands.  Kickoffs are a touch easier with kickoffs moved up to the 35-yard line and Hanson has put his fair share of kicks into the end zone. 

Donahue will need to kick it high and to the sidelines to keep the greatest kick returner in NFL history a non-factor.  I know Hester has not been the exclusive returner for the Bears, but on Monday night?  If anyone takes a kick or punt besides Hester, barring injury, Lovie Smith should be forced to take a "short bus" back to Chicago.

Those are the Van Etten V to watch.  Are you ready for some football?!