Week 1: Lions vs Bears Preview
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Date/Time: Sunday, September 12, 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Soldier Field
Detroit vs Chicago Lines
Moneyline: Lions +240, Bears -280
NFL betting favorite: Bears -6.5
Over/Under: 44
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Detroit Lions
The last time anyone – bettors, fans, players, myself – was this excited about the Detroit Lions, Barry Sanders played for them. In recent years in Major League Baseball and the NHL, perennial bottom dwellers like the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Blackhawks have found success after years of piling up high draft picks. Maybe the Lions will make that theory ring true in the NFL this season and beyond.
It started with the freakishly talented Calvin Johnson at receiver a few years ago. Then came the quarterback of the future: Matthew Stafford. This year, the Lions took standout defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh out of Nebraska and speedy running back Jahvid Best out of California. With Tony Scheffler and Nate Burleson also joining up this offseason, the Lions suddenly look ready to field an exciting offense in 2010.
Their “D” remains a work in progress after finishing dead last in the NFL last year but Suh is that first crucial building block that could bring them back to respectability. You can bet the Lions are anxious to show how much they’ve improved this offseason against a bitter divisional rival like Chicago in Week 1.
Chicago Bears
The 2010 offseason was a resounding success for the Bears but the preseason has been quite the opposite. Chicago entered training camp full of optimism after signing Mike Martz to be their offensive co-ordinator.
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The line of thinking was that Martz could make Jay Cutler into a superstar and turn Matt Forte, a solid pass-catching back, into the new Marshall Faulk.
But there’s one big problem: in a Martz offense, which features many four and five-receiver sets, the quarterback gets hit. And hit. And hit again. Cutler got popped so often this preseason that he’s already shell-shocked before the regular season has even started. Reports from sources close to the Bears suggest he has major trust issues with the line.
With the offense no longer a lock to bust out this season, the Bears’ “D” needs to rebound from 2009 season in which it finished 17th in total defense – 23rd against the run. Getting healthy should make a difference; Brian Urlacher played just one game last year but is good to go for 2010.
The pick:
It seems every year that something wild happens in Week 1, and I think Soldier Field may be the destination for the NFL’s first shocker of 2010. The Bears’ secondary has been beatable in recent years and their problems stopping the run have been well-documented. Even with Urlacher back, I’m not sure the Bears – or any team for that matter – are prepared for what Jahvid Best brings to the table.
Now – this is still a Mike Martz offense facing a Lions “D” that finished last against the pass last season. So I expect a wild shootout. Don’t be surprised if this is the game of the week. In the end, however, I like the Lions to pull off the upset. Their offense is ready to show off and maybe Suh will make headlines attacking the vulnerable Cutler, too.
Lions vs Bears prediction: Lions 31, Bears 28
Moneyline: Lions +240
Spread: Lions +6.5
Over/Under: OVER 44
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