The Detroit Lions have lost four of their last six games against the Chicago Bears and arguably enter Sunday’s visit to Chicago in a pinch despite sitting atop the NFC.
That’s because Detroit (12-2) is as capable of injury as it is of victory, even if Chicago’s biggest pain has lasted months since the Bears’ last win.
Lions running back David Montgomery (sprained MCL) and defensive end Alim McNeill (torn ACL) suffered potentially season-ending injuries in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, while linebacker Carlton Davis III suffered a broken jaw and is out indefinitely.
Montgomery is reportedly seeking a third opinion on his knee injury and is on the Week 16 injury report but is currently not on the injured list.
For coach Dan Campbell, setbacks shouldn’t equal sympathy, especially as the Lions control their way to the top of the NFC playoffs.
“No one is going to give us a pass or give us a star next to (our) record,” Campbell said. “So, that means the other guys are going to have an amazing opportunity.”
Detroit’s 11-game winning streak ended with a 48-42 loss against Buffalo, but the Lions are still marching toward the first championship and home field advantage in the conference playoffs.
Their second loss of the season left the NFC North-leading Lions even with the Philadelphia Eagles and North rival Minnesota Vikings. However, the Lions can secure the top seed with wins against the reeling Bears (4-10), San Francisco 49ers (6-8) and Vikings to close out the regular season.
“There’s a lot of football left, and I think we’re looking forward to this, to be honest with you,” Campbell said. “You pick yourself up and dust yourself off, get back to the basics, man, get back to work.”
Chicago returns home trying to end an eight-game losing streak. The run included a 23-20 Thanksgiving Day loss at Detroit that led to the firing of third-year Bears coach Matt Eberflus the next day.
Playing under interim head coach Thomas Brown the past two weeks, the Bears have lost road games to San Francisco, 38-13, and Minnesota, 30-12. Chicago has been outscored 53-0 in the first half of its past three contests.
Brown affirms that “our guys continue to fight” and promised that he will “continue to fight for them and stay behind them.”
Bears are aware of their chances of showing that strength is declining.
“Of course the players are responsible for making plays, and I know nobody’s trying to make plays,” linebacker Jaylon Johnson said. “Everyone’s goal is to be the best and try to make your place. It’s not going our way.”
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. Chicago was already 1 for 12 in the third down win against Minnesota and has struggled on defense all season. The Bears’ 58 sacks allowed are tied with the Cleveland Browns for most in the NFL. Defending Williams could be a concern even if the Lions play less forward.
Braxton Jones (left hamstring), left guard Teven Jenkins (calf) and offensive lineman Ryan Bates (hamstring) all practiced for the Bears on Wednesday.
“He’s self-motivated, he’s self-motivated. He has good affirmations that you say to yourself,” Williams said. “With that, it makes the days better, it makes when you are facing a difficult situation, it makes those days easier rather than pulling yourself down, telling yourself that you are doing this and that.”
Detroit has won four of five against Chicago overall, with three of those meetings decided by five points or less.
The Lions lead the NFL with an average of 32.8 points per game. Quarterback Jared Goff tied a career best with five touchdown passes against Buffalo. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 14 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown while Jahmyr Gibbs contributed rushing and receiving TDs.
Safety Brian Branch (calf) and left guard Graham Glasgow (knee) also did not practice against the Lions on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
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