The Detroit Lions (2-3) have a huge opportunity this week to turn their season around and get back to their winning ways of last season. The spotlight will be on them as they face the NFC North division leading Chicago Bears (4-1) on Monday Night Football. Both teams are looking to make a statement in front of a prime time national audience. For Chicago, they look to separate themselves from the rest of the division and maintain a comfortable lead over the Green Bay Packers. As for Detroit, it’s the perfect scenario to show everyone they’re still a force to be reckoned with. 
Detroit is coming off an inspiring win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Down by 10 in the fourth quarter, the Lions offense suddenly woke up from its offseason hibernation and rallied just in time for kicker Jason Hanson to hit a game-tying, last second field goal. Hanson went on to kick the game-winner in overtime and send Philadelphia fans home scratching their heads.
The Lions will need to put together a strong performance from start to finish against Chicago if they want to have much of a chance on the road. Getting early points on the board will be crucial for the offense, which hopes to quiet the crowd and make life a bit more difficult for opposing quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler has notoriously had his ups and downs throughout his career. When he’s on, he’s as good as any quarterback in the league, including guys like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. When he’s off, however, he can put turnovers up in a hurry, much like he did against Green Bay earlier this year when he threw four interceptions.
The Lions defensive line will have to force the issue against a suspect Chicago Bear front that’s already been publically criticized by its quarterback. Perception around the league is that the front four of the Lions has underachieved up to this point in the season. Studs like Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch aren’t having the impact most thought they would, but that all can change Monday night.
When asked earlier this week if there’s such a thing as rivalry games, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz responded, “Division game, for sure. These two teams, same division, know each other very well, know the personnel, know the schemes very well. There’s not going to be a lot of surprises when we get to Sunday night.”
