It's no secret that home field advantage, in general, plays a big part in many NFL games, and Sunday's game against the loathed Bears is no different. With Detroit coming off of a nice bounce back win (blowout) and a bye, optimism was riding high on the Fox game of the week against Chicago.

Jump ahead to the week after the game. Detroit got their collective arses handed to them in what could be called a borderline blowout. They sit at 6 - 3, which is, if nothing else, respectable. They are definitely on pace to be who we thought they were, which is about 10 - 6.

We could play the "if it wasn't for" game - if it wasn't for Stafford's finger, those fumbles, interceptions, the wind, (yeeahh, right) etc. However, it is more prudent to look at what has really happened in Chicago this year. Here are a few numbers to consider when some of us are crying in our beer about Sunday's loss. These represent what Chicago has been able to do at home against 4 road teams, not including Detroit:

Points per game at home: Chicago 30, other 22

Chicago's numbers on the road: Chicago 16, other 24

The only team to beat them at home, of course, are the Packers.

Here is my point: Soldier Field is a very difficult place to play. I think it is reasonable to say that Chicago is one of the better home teams in the NFL. There is no shame in losing at Chicago (that doesn't mean we have to like it.) The other road teams to lose there? Carolina, Atlanta, and Minnesota. The company here is not all that bad.