Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:00 PM EST Nov 9, 2018 Free Press writer Dave Birkett breaks down Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears and offers his prediction: Lions run offense vs. Bears run defense The Lions have been a different team when they’ve been able to run the ball this year, but unfortunately for them they haven’t gotten much going on the ground the last two weeks. Kerryon Johnson averaged less than 3 yards per carry in losses to the Seahawks and Vikings, down from 5.7 ypc for the season, as those teams dominated at the line of scrimmage. The Bears have a similar physical edge in this game. They’ve allowed just two teams to reach 100 yards rushing this year, the Dolphins and Patriots, and they rank third against the run overall (85 ypg). Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks are having nice years on the defensive line, and Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathian are tackling machines at linebacker. Johnson should continue to get the bulk of the carries for the Lions, though LeGarrette Blount remains in the mix as the big back. The Lions used more two- and even three-back sets last week (with Theo Riddick sometimes split out wide in the slot), and that could continue Sunday. Edge: Bears Lions pass offense vs. Bears pass defense With no running game to speak of, the Lions have become one-dimensional on offense the last two weeks and that’s had a negative impact on Matthew Stafford’s… [Read full story]
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