Lions vs. Bears preview: 5 Qs with Windy City Gridiron

Week 3 is over. We’re not going to think about anymore. We’re not even going to spend another 66 seconds thinking about it. Onto Week 4. This week the Detroit Lions are on the road in Chicago to play the Bears.

The Chicago Bears aren’t having much more fun than the Lions are this season. While they do at least have a win, they’re really struggling with their quarterback situation. Last week Justin Fields got his first career start and it did not go well at all. The rookie got sacked nine times and only completed six passes on 20 attempts. On top of that, there’s rumors going around on the Twittersphere that head coach Matt Nagy is on the ropes and could be coaching for his job on Sunday. Of course it seems like that’s been a rumor for years now.

Anyhow, we wanted to get some more information on the Bears. So we reached out to our frienemy Patti Curl from Windy City Gridiron for answers. Here’s what she had to say:

1. It’s been a really rough start for rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Should the Bears consider sitting him back down for longer?

“That’s a hard question to answer. I think most people think what the Bears should do is let him continue to start but with a game plan that helps him out more, including more chip blocks on players like Myles Garrett, more designed roll-outs, more play action, RPOs and more opportunities to play to his strengths. Nagy’s game plan to account for the Bears inadequate offensive line has been short anticipation throws that leave the quarterbacks’ hand immediately. That’s not Justin Fields’ strength. If Nagy insists on that game plan, sit Fields for Dalton or Foles so he doesn’t get hurt.”

2. What are the Bears’ strengths?

“First, we have the best team name and mascot in the league. Second, our front seven is a legitimately strong defensive unit, and (new defensive coordinator) Sean Desai has done well covering up the holes in our secondary in two of the three games he’s coached the defense so far. Third, David Montgomery is a legitimate difference maker at running back. And finally, though it didn’t matter last week, we have plenty of speed at receiver (and no, I’m not counting Breshad Perriman) and a quarterback with great deep accuracy.”

3. What are their weaknesses?

“Offensive line interior. Also offensive line exterior. Also offensive line depth. Cornerbacks. Also safeties. Jaylon Johnson is the only Bear who has played consistently well in the secondary. And tight end has proved to be less of a strength than I’d hoped, with second year second-round pick Cole Kmet peaking at “decent” in the first game before fading away and Jimmy Graham has as many missed blocks as he does receptions this year. And let’s just say an offensive scheme that doesn’t fit the personnel.”

4. If Chicago style pizza got into a fight with Detroit style pizza, who would win? Why is it Detroit style?

“Oh that’s easy. Detroit style would win because there would only be one bite missing from each slice while the deep dish pie would have to defend itself with only a bit of crust remaining.”

5. Who’s winning this thing?

“If you asked me before last Sunday, I would have said the Bears and tried my hardest not to do it in a condescending tone. I’m still going to say the Bears because I’m a homer at heart, but I’m much less confident. The Lions have proven to be tough competition in their first three games, and I have no doubt their defensive line will give the Bears O line trouble. But the Bears offense will either have a bounce-back game or set a record for the worst two offensive showings in NFL history. Statistically speaking, the former is more likely.

Let’s say 16 to 14. Cairo Santos hits an NFL record 67-yard field goal to win it at the end.”