NFL Week Four: Chicago Bears—Detroit Lions Analysis

Brian Griese in at Quarterback but Will It Matter with Chicago’s Dinged-up Defense?

OK, this is what everyone has wanted in Chicago for such a long time. Brian Griese will officially replace Rex Grossman at quarterback this afternoon as the Chicago Bears travel to play the Detroit Lions.

Can the Bears offense finally get going after putting together a lousy two touchdowns in three games this year?

While Griese will be a much better game manager than Grossman, remember that Ron Turner still runs the show, Cedric Benson is still the running back and the offensive line can’t pick up a blitz. The lion’s share of the scrutiny now falls on Turner and everyone else on the offense with Grossman sent to the sidelines with ball cap on head and clipboard in hand. Detroit gave up 50-plus points to the Eagles last week, and now’s the time for the Bears offense to get healthy if it is ever going to do so.

With that said, this game is going to be about the Bears defense, which could very well be missing both of its starting cornerbacks in Peanut Tillman and Nathan Vasher while going up against a Mike Martz pass-happy offense. Expect Jon Kitna to throw the ball more than 50 times today, with most of those throws coming out of a shotgun set. In addition to dangerous threats Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson (who is questionable), the Lions have unheralded receivers in Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey to use at the team’s wishes.

Detroit wins this game 31-20 as the Chicago offense looks a little better (but is still nothing special) and the defense struggles to contain the Lions passing attack in wake of all its injuries.