David Montgomery – Page 17

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Bears in Chicago; plus, prediction

The weather forecast may be holiday-perfect — just another cold, wintry Sunday at Soldier Field on Sunday when the Lions play the Bears.

It will be the second meeting for the NFC North rivals. Chicago (4-8) may still be a little angry at themselves for giving up a late fourth-quarter lead a few weeks ago at Ford Field to Detroit (9-3). The Lions still sit atop the NFC North with the Bears hanging out in the basement.

“Yeah, I’m not worried about the whole revenge factor. I mean, we’re hungry and we’ve got to win to win,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “So, we want this too, now. I mean – and I think for them, look man, they’re playing pretty good football right now and they want to win. So, I think – I’m not worried about revenge, I’m worried about what this team presents.’’

The Bears present another issue – they are coming off a bye week.

“Typically, when you play a defense like this one, they’re rested. Two, specific to this game, they’re probably upset and angry about how the last game finished for them,’’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said.

“And they have time to put things in that perhaps you’re not ready for. We will be surprised on a few things, whether it’s a front, it’s a type of pressure, it’s coverage — we’ll see something different. That usually happens every week but when a team comes off a bye you see a lot more,’’ Brunell added.

Five things to watch:

1. The defense must contain quarterback Justin Fields as much as possible. They have struggled with mobile quarterbacks and Fields carried 18 times for 104 yards in their first meeting. “He’s dangerous. He’s one of these rare, dangerous players and I’ll tell you what he’s done a really good job of, from last year to this year is once he – man, if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously and that’s extremely dangerous because even in Minnesota, he had two or three receivers wide open after he had kind of run, found a way through, broke contain and all of a sudden he gets an explosive pass off of it,’’ Campbell said. “But he is dangerous and he – everything starts with him, for us defensively, and containing these guys.”

2. The weather conditions definitely will affect the game-calling. If it’s windy and rainy, Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will have to pile up yardage on the ground. While they’ve had much success, the Bears’ defense is tied for first in the NFL in rushing defense allowing just 79.0 rushing yards per game. In their first matchup, the Lions had 115 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns.

3. After two rough games as far as turnovers, Jared Goff came back in fine form in the win at New Orleans. Even though the Chicago weather could live up to its Windy City name, Brunell expects Goff to be fine. “(Wind) doesn’t bother Jared at all. I’m pretty impressed for a guy who played in L.A., and grew up in California, how the elements don’t seem to bother him at all. It’s pretty impressive,’’ Brunell said. “He’s in his eighth year, he’s been in those games, those environments and he’s had success.’’

4. Others must step up with the absence of defensive tackle Alim McNeill who was placed on injured reserve this week. Levi Onwuzurike, Isaiah Buggs, rookie Brodric Martin and/or Quinton Bohanna could see more playing time. Same for Bruce Irvin who made his Lions’ debut in New Orleans with 11 snaps. Campbell wants to get him more this week.

5. The Lions defense must continue to limit explosive plays. They have allowed the third fewest run plays of 10 yards or more all season. But the chunk plays in the passing game have at times been an issue. “The thing that I try to do is look at the big picture. We’re one of the top teams in the League as far as not giving up explosive plays. So, I always try to point back to that and what we did before to not give those things up, and our guys understand that,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “And listen, this is a League of teams that are trying to make big plays because usually when you make big plays, obviously you’re going to get scores after that. So, that’s one thing that we try to make sure we focus on.’’

INJURIES: Center Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe) and QB Hendon Hooker (knee) are out. LB/FB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) is questionable. LB Alex Anzalone (hand), who missed last week, will play.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Bears 17. The Lions need to continue winning for their hopes of getting a home playoff game. Don’t see them letting up now.

Lions RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery a perfect blend, like peanut butter and jelly

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

“Some people like peanut butter, some like jelly, but a lot of people like them put together. That’s where we are with both of them,’’ Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said on Wednesday.

“That’s kind of where we are, I’m really happy with the development. It’s the kind of vision that (GM) Brad (Holmes) and Dan (Campbell) had. They’re doing a good job,’’ he added.

David Montgomery was signed as a free agent while Gibbs was drafted in the first round (a pick many skeptics did not like). Together the two have given the Lions a running game like they have not had in years. Many years.

And, the hope is that they’re just getting started with six games left in the regular season — including Sunday’s contest at the New Orleans Saints.

“This League is tough on backs, you get hit quite a bit. Part of the plan was when we got to December how fresh, how fast, how strong, how physical, could we continue to be,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

When David Montgomery missed a pair of games in October due to injury, Gibbs made the most of his increased opportunities and has also become a better blocker.

Both have been healthy since the bye week and able to contribute in each game. The goal is not to split their touches 50-50 but to find the perfect blend each week.

“What Ben has done, he’s done a really really good job of making sure that they’re both really involved,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

David Montgomery has 133 carries for 648 yards, 4.9 yards per carry and nine touchdowns, along with eight catches for 88 yards.

Gibbs has rushed 109 times for 566 yards, 5.2 per carry and 5 touchdowns, along with 41 receptions for 278 yards. In the first few weeks, he was slowly given more work and then proved he was capable.

“They’re both dangerous, they’re both really good backs. Hard-pressed to find a better duo in the League right now,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “Those guys are doing a helluva job, it’s fun to have them behind me and when I do have to check the ball down, being able to get it in their hands is a lot of fun too.’’

MOVES: The practice window for QB Hendon Hooker was opened when he participated in Wednesday’s practice. Hooker, a 2023 third-round draft pick, was coming off ACL surgery when drafted. Until now he’s been around the team, but has not been allowed to practice. … WR Tom Kennedy was signed to the practice squad, while WR Dylan Drummond was released.

WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT: LB Alex Anzalone (hand) no practice; LG Jonah Jackson (ankle/wrist), RB David Montgomery (foot) and S Tracy Walker (shoulder) had limited practice.

Five things to watch as Lions welcome Packers on Thanksgiving; plus, prediction

For Dan Campbell, it’s a privilege to coach in the Thanksgiving game. And, in fact, since he was a tight end for the Lions and Dallas Cowboys, he played in more than a few of them.

He’ll coach his third Turkey Day game at Ford Field when the Lions (8-2) host the Green Bay Packers (4-6) at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

“It’s over the break, it’s Thanksgiving, all the families are getting together, it’s the first game that’s on. I still think it’s something special, I do, I believe that,’’ said Campbell who grew up in Texas as a big fan of Tom Landry.

“It’s Detroit, Dallas it’s always been known for that. I know they have the late game now — I do, I think it’s special and it’s a privilege to be able to play on Thanksgiving and everybody’s watching – all your family, all your friends,’’ Campbell said. “And this is the type of game you come out of and somebody you went to school with in second grade is texting you and you forgot until he texts you. Family members, everything. It’s cool like that, it’s special.’’

By the way, he said it’s true about his second-grade buddy.

Not only is it special because of the holiday and national audience, but it’s a key divisional game for the NFC North-leading Lions. They beat the Packers in Week 4 and are 2-0 in the division.

So Campbell would like to break the string of six straight Thanksgiving losses for a few reasons.

“We’re trying to turn over a new leaf here, trying to do something different and do some things that haven’t been done for a while,’’ Campbell said.

Five things to watch:

1. Jared Goff’s three interceptions against the Bears wil become a distant memory if he drives the offense against the Packers for the win. Goff excelled when it mattered on Sunday. It’s like he’s built for the two-minute drive. “I think it’s having a guy that understands those (two-minute ) plays, understands what they’re doing in the coverage, where’s your guy at? Where’s your best matchup? And doing that all by just keeping your composure and that’s what he did,’’ Campbell said. “I mean, he didn’t get frazzled by it. I thought he sat in the pocket and he made good decisions with the football and he was just comfortable, he was comfortable.” In the earlier win at Green Bay he was 19 of 28 for 210 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

2. Between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions’ run game has not let the offense down. The complementary duo is a major reason the Lions’ have the second best total offense in the NFL. Gibbs continues to grow. Montgomery scored three rushing touchdowns in the first matchup with the Packers and has eight on the season.

3. The defense struggled early in the win over the Bears, but came back strong. Still missed tackles were an issue for most of the game. It’s not the first time that has been an issue. Again, when it mattered most – in the last four minutes – the defense was solid.

4. Stopping the run was key to the first win at Green Bay. They were held to just 27 rushing yards. The Packers will be without running backs Aaron Jones (knee) and Emmanuel Wilson (shoulder). Both were injured in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Chargers.

5. The Lions must find a way to create more turnovers and at the same time don’t turn the ball over. Goff’s three interceptions were an abnormality – he had thrown just five in the first nine games – but they also lost a fumble on a return. This is a key statistic as the season progresses.

PREDICTION: Lions 34, Packers 17. The Lions are 7.5-point favorites. Just can’t see them losing at home to the Packers.