Despite a few reports to the contrary, the sky has not fallen for the Lions following a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Coming up on the short side is just a new phenomena for Detroit which hadn’t lost a game since September.
Heading to play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, the Lions look to keep alive their streak on no back-to-back losses in more than two years.The last time they lost two straight was in October 2022.
It hasn’t happened by accident.
“You have to identify the issues and you have to attack the next preparation for the opponent, there’s got to be a level of urgency that is extremely high and you have to want to get that taste out of your mouth so bad, the taste of losing, that you’ll do anything it takes to prep yourself and you’re going to play at the highest level that you played all season,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.
He explained that the magic combination includes mindset, preparation and work ethic.
“It’s really that simple. It’s not anything else – I know this, you overreact on one, that’s not good either,’’ Campbell said.
While the Ford Field atmosphere is among the best in the NFL, the Lions have not lost a road game yet this season.
“Our job is to go play football and that’s what we’re going to continue to do. We lost two games, we have a chance to win out and accomplish everything that we want to accomplish,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “So why should we sit back and wallow and think that the sky is falling? It’s dumb.”
Five things to watch:
ONE: Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw three touchdown passes in the second half of their first matchup which the Lions won, 23-20. Glenn said the key is to disguise coverages better because Williams is still learning to read defenses. “I think he’s playing really good football, and he just continues to get better. He’s taken a few hits, but he just continues to stand in there and push the ball down the field,’’ Campbell said. “He’s mobile, as we know, he can break contain, he keeps his eyes downfield. So, he’s a young quarterback in this League that is really continuing to improve and he’s got plenty of weapons.
TWO: The Lions defense has struggled with all the injuries and that includes a lack of takeaways. While the Bears are winless in their last eight games, in that stretch Williams has not thrown an interception. For the season he has 17 touchdowns and just five picks. “We have really a couple game drought of takeaways right now and that’s got to be a part of our identity. So, we have to get back to what we do and the way that we play because that’s how you give yourself the best opportunity to get takeaways. So, to be able to put some pressure on him and try to force him into making some decisions that are ill-advised, that’s big and that’s big for any opponent that you go against,’’ Campbell said.
THREE: With RB David Montgomery out with a knee injury, Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to carry a heavier load. He’ll have help from either Jermar Jefferson, Craig Reynolds or Sione Vaki. “(Gibbs) brings the explosive element, he’s getting better in the pass game, and then you see what he’s able to do in the run game, so we have a ton of confidence,’’ Campbell said. “I think for him it’s going to be, we’ve got to use and maximize the reps that we have for him, and be careful that we don’t give him too much. Last week the Lions had a season-low 48 rushing yards. Improving that number is an emphasis against the Bears.
FOUR: In the loss to the Bills, the Lions were down 14-0 in the first quarter. The offense managed just one first down in their first two possessions. So a quick start is another emphasis this week. “Coming from behind, it’s not impossible, but it’s hard. I think we put ourselves behind the eight ball a little bit, so yeah, starting fast and making sure we can get a lead is always great, obviously,’’ Goff said. “But yeah, you just want to keep that game close and stay in it until the very end, and unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish it off.”
FIVE: It’s a rare outdoor game for the Lions. They’ve been preparing for playing at Soldier Field by holding practices outdoors this week. “It brings a different level of juice to those guys outside. The bigs love it, we’ve got a lot of skill guys out there that are running around that enjoy it too,’’ Campbell said. “But yeah, I think that it fits us very well and I think it’ll be good for us out there.” Goff said he looks forward to playing at Lambeau and Soldier Field every season. The forecast calls for a high of 31 with partly cloudy skies. Not bad for Chicago in December..
LIONS INJURY UPDATE: RB David Montgomery (knee) and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) are out; DB Brian Branch (calf), G Graham Glasgow (knee) and S Ifeatu Melifonwu (hand) are questionable.
BEARS INJURY UPDATE: OL Ryan Bates (concussion) is out; RB Travis Homer (hamstring) is doubtful; DB Jaylon Johnson (illness), DL Gervon Dexter Sr. (knee), OL Teven Jenkins (calf) and OL Braxton Jones (concussion) are questionable.
PREDICTION: Lions 35, ,Bears 27.
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