After their most complete victory of the season, the Chicago Bears will be looking for revenge as they take on the Detroit Lions this weekend in the Motor City.
The Bears, who are now 4-9 on the season, lost 27-24 to the Lions at Soldier Field in November, with Matthew Stafford throwing for nearly 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Detroit kept its playoff hopes alive.
Jordan Howard had a monster game for the Bears with 125 rushing yards on just 15 carries, but despite 222 rushing yards for the team, they still weren’t able to figure out a way to knock off their divisional rival.
That has been a common theme for the Bears under head coach John Fox, who is 3-13 against the NFC North in his career with the Bears. He has one victory against each team in the division, with the Bears’ last triumph over the Lions coming in Week 4 of the 2016 season.
For the Bears, their key to success will be in limiting Stafford’s completions, as the Lions have the league’s worst rushing attack. An injury to Adrian Amos won’t help in that regard, but with Kyle Fuller playing his best football of the season and with Eddie Jackson having a strong rookie campaign, the Bears very well could cause some serious problems for Stafford.
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals talks with head coach John Fox of the Chicago Bears prior to the game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears runs into the endzone for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Kevin Minter #51 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball after a reception against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Head coach John Fox of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals dives for a pass defended by Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Mike Nugent #1 of the Chicago Bears kicks a field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears breaks a tackle from Jordan Evans #50 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Kendall Wright #13 of the Chicago Bears makes a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Adam Shaheen #87 of the Chicago Bears catches a touchdown pass in the end zone against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Head coach John Fox of the Chicago Bears shakes hands with head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
While the temptation for the Bears to run the ball will certainly be present, as the Lions give up 116 yards per game on the ground, the team’s passing game could be key. The Lions give up 247 yards per game through the air, putting them among the NFL’s worst teams in that category.
The Bears will have to take advantage of that poor secondary play with quick, precise throws from Mitchell Trubisky. Expect a heavy dose of Tarik Cohen and Kendall Wright in the passing game, and if Dontrelle Inman can get open as well, the Lions will have a very difficult time in figuring out coverages to stop Trubisky as he grows more confident in the NFL game.
Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., and the game will air on NBC 5 Chicago.
