To say that Detroit (2-4) struggled in its 13-7 performance Monday night against the Bears (5-1) would be an understatement.
Aside from two late-game drives in garbage time, Stafford and the Lions offense was ineffective moving the ball throughout the entire game, finishing with 250 passing yards with a late 12-yard score to rookie Ryan Broyles. Fittingly, the struggling Stafford threw an interception in the red zone after two fumbles by running backs Mikel LeShoure and Joique Bell. The Lions finished 0-3 in the red zone on the evening with three turnovers. Despite a solid defensive game, which recorded 5 sacks of Jay Cutler, the Lions inability to hang onto the football cost them a chance for a much-needed road win.
Chicago did not play a stellar game either, but the defense held strong on a night where kicker Robbie Gould almost outscored the Lions offense by himself. Chicago’s lone touchdown came on a Cutler to Marshall connection early in the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter, the Bears had a scare when Cutler was slammed and sacked to the ground by Ndamukong Suh. Cutler was on the ground for a few minutes and eventually replaced by Jason Campbell for just one play.
The Bears escaped the NFC North matchup with a pivotal win when Earl Bennett covered up Jason Hanson’s onside kick. Another major factor in the win came thanks in part to the defense nicknamed the “Monsters of the Midway,” which performed like the original Monsters of the Midway from years past. The rejuvenated Bears D completely locked down the NFL’s best receiver in Calvin Johnson. Charles “Peanut” Tillman held the Pro Bowl wideout to three receptions for 34 yards.
When the dominating defense wasn’t on the field, Matt Forte did a solid job rushing the ball for the Bears. Overall, this was a big win for a Bears team that now have a share of the lead in the competitive NFC North over the Vikings (5-2) and the Packers (4-3).
The Lions head home to Ford Field to try to find their offense and rebound against the also tough Seattle Seahawks defense. Meanwhile the 
Chicago Bears host the dazed Carolina Panthers who have just one win on the season.
