NFL Picks Week 10: Chicago Bears Will Keep Winning Against Detroit Lions

The Chicago Bears are hot, and I am currently eating my words from previously saying that the Bears have no chance of making the playoffs this year. This is a team that is currently a game behind the Detroit Lions for the wild-card spot, and will be facing them this Sunday for a rematch. 

In the first meeting, the Lions absolutely dominated the Bears in all facets of the game. The new look Bears have improved immensely on every aspect of their team. Here are the reasons why I believe Bears will continue to win when they face the Lions.

Continue to Give Matt Forte the Ball

The team has found an identity, and it is running back Matt Forte. He currently leads the league in all-purpose yards and gets 46 percent of the Bears offense. His performance against the Eagle on Monday Night Football was strong with 133 yards rushing on 24 attempts.

He did have two fumbles that resulted in scores, but you have to expect that it won’t happen too often for the rest of the season. He is second in the league in rushing and is one of the top receiving backs in the league. Can the Bears pay the man? 

Forte should be able to run wild against an aggressive Lions front seven who’s focus is to get to the quarterback. If the line can hold Suh and the rest of the rushers a lot longer than they did in the previous meeting then Forte should have a great day.

Offensive Line Needs to Keep Improving

The make shift offensive line that Mike Tice has been incredible in recent weeks. The line has only given up three sacks in three games including zero against the Eagles. In the previous meeting against the Lions, the Bears could not keep Cutler upright.

They hit Cutler six times and sacked him three. He was hurried numerous times. This improved offensive line must stop the great pass rush of the Lions.

The combination of mix matching guards and tackles to see who fits early on this season has helped immensely. The Bears will also be getting rookie tackle Gabe Carimi back this week to plug in the line to stop Avril and Suh. 

What has also helped keep Cutler upright has been the change in offensive philosophy by Mike Martz. Cutler is able to roll out of the pocket where he feel much more comfortable. Movement will keep the Lions’ front seven off balanced and allow Cutler to succeed.

Martz has also kept the tight ends and running backs in place to block in order to give Cutler more time on the deeper passes. The blocking scheme and the offensive line can both pass and run block, and this aspect of their improvements will lead them to victory. 

Earl Bennett Is the Top Receiver

The Bears actually had a legitimate receiver against the Eagles in Earl Bennett. His route running is impeccable as he was able to break off the Eagles elite cornerbacks. Cutler also has a lot of trust in Bennett as they were college teammates.

He gives the Bears what they lacked against the Lions in the first meeting, which is a receiver. Hester, Knox and Williams were not able to get open against the Lions defense. Bennett should be able to get open against the Lions’ weak secondary.

He should also be able to supplant the incumbent Roy Williams for the starting position and have a great second half of the season.

The Defense Has It's Swag Back

The Bears’ defense has actually looked elite in recent weeks. Urlacher, Briggs and Peppers have been using their speed to wreak havoc on opposing offenses the last few games. 

The first meeting against the Lions, the Bears’ defense had numerous miss reads, looked slow and out of sync. The Jahvid Best run where the linebackers and safeties let him run for a touchdown untouched was very disappointing.

After watching this game, I really thought the Bears’ defense was on the decline as father time was hitting them.  

The speed of the defense has picked up and is reminiscent of the year they made it the Super Bowl. After cutting Chris Harris and shaking up the safety lineup, the safety play by second year starter Major Wright and rookie Chris Conte have been solid as they are continuing to learn the cover two schemes. 

The identity for the Bears have been to play stingy and grinding defense, and as the season has progressed, the defense has elevated. There were numerous blunders in the first meeting with the Lions that won’t happen this week in the rematch. The defense should be poised and focused for their revenge game. 

Jay Cutler Has Confidence

Another reason why the Bears will defeat the Lions this week is because of the play of Jay Cutler. He has been allowed to role out of the pocket where he feels more comfortable, and unleash the cannon of a arm that he has.

When Cutler has time, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He has also had better awareness in the pocket in recent weeks, which he did not have against the Lions in the previous meeting.

This will help as the Lions’ front seven will get through at times. Cutler is looking more comfortable each week and will likely have a great game against the Lions’ weak secondary. 

Every aspect of this team is clicking. If they keep the turnovers down against the Lions and keep Cutler standing tall in the pocket, then the Bears will surely win. The bonus is if the Bears special teams can get Devin Hester going this week.

Look for an impressive win this week against a Lions team that is coming off of a bye.