The Weekend Spotlight - Week 10, 2011

Junior Dos Santos KOs UFC Heavyweight Champ Cain Velaquez earlier this evening.
I know, wrong sport right?  Well the Lions vs Bears game this week is also a big heavyweight matchup, which could end in a similar, but also different, fashion.

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, to the week 10 addition of the Weekend Spotlight!  I am your host KDawg.  This installment of your weekly WS will feature your Detroit Lions versus the Chicago Bears, on the road in Chicago, IL, at Soldier Field.  I know this is late again, but I figure as long as I have it up before game time then it shouldn't hurt anything.  It has been a hectic week for me, and there has been so much going on that I just could not find time to write up a post.  That said, I am REALLY going to shorten the WS this week so that I can get some sleep!  I'm going to make it quick and to the point, and you will see that after the jump...

THE SKINNY:
The Lions are 6-2.  Coming off of their bye week they should be well rested and ready for this HUGE game against Chicago.  The Lions currently rank 13th overall in total offense, ranking 10th in the NFL in passing and 27th in rushing.  They currently rank 9th in the NFL in total defense, ranking 5th against the pass and 29th against the run.

The Bears are 5-3.  They have won 3 games in a row since last facing the Lions, and surely they are looking for redemption in that aspect.  The Bears currently rank 17th overall in total offense, ranking 19th in the NFL in passing and 11th in rushing.  Defensively the Bears currently rank 23rd overall, in total defense, ranking 26th against the pass and 11th against the run (tied with Jacksonville).

The story of this game is how well the Bear's offensive line can protect Jay Cutler from our defensive line, and whether or not the Lions can stop Matt Forte from beating them single handedly.  Don't think that can't happen, because it very well could.  The Lions have to stop the run, force Cutler to make mistakes, and contain Forte in the passing game as well.  If they do these things, they will win.  If they do not contain Forte, and they can not pressure and rattle Jay Cutler, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them, then the game could very well come down to which offense is able to execute more consistently.  The Lions did not stop Denver from rushing for 195 yards in week 8, yet they still managed to win.  They did so because they forced Denver to pass, got after Tim Tebow and rattled his cage, and forced turnovers which they capitalized on, both offensively and defensively (2 defensive TDs).  So, as long as they capitalize on forced mistakes, and as long as the offense executes consistently, the Lions could still win the game even if Forte has 150 yards rushing.  That said they still have to keep him out of the end zone, or at the very least stop Cutler and his receivers from getting easy scores in the red zone.

INJURY REPORT:

Detroit Lions Week 10 Injury Report
POS.	NAME	INJURY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	STATUS
RB	Jahvid Best	Concussion	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
DT	Sammie Hill	Ankle	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
WR	Rashied Davis	Foot	LP	LP	LP	Probable
S	Louis Delmas	Foot	Not Listed	LP	LP	Questionable
P	Ryan Donahue	Right Quad	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
K	Jason Hanson	Left Knee	DNP	LP	LP	Probable
TE	Brandon Pettigrew	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	Probable
QB	Matthew Stafford	Finger(Right)/Ankle	FP	FP	FP	Probable
DE	Kyle Vanden Bosch	Not Injury Related	DNP	Not Listed	Not Listed	Not Listed

Chicago Bears Week 10 Injury Report
POS.	NAME	INJURY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	STATUS
TE	Kyle Adams	Hamstring	DNP	Out/IR	Out/IR	Out/IR
T	Gabe Carimi	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
WR	Devin Hester	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Questionable
TE	Kellen Davis	Shoulder	LP	LP	FP	Probable
DE	Julius Peppers	Knee	DNP	DNP	FP	Probable
DT	Matt Toeaina	Knee	FP	DNP	FP	Probable
S	Major Wright	Ankle	LP	LP	FP	Probable

There's the full injury reports, for your information and perusal.  Use it as you will.  Here's to the hope that the rookie year form of Kevin Smith is back with the Lions...:o)

KEY PLAYERS:
On offense, I feel that the Lion's key player this week is going to be Brandon Pettigrew.  The Bears give up a lot of space to opposing TEs, and i look for Matt Stafford to utilize it.  Calvin Johnson will likely still be the leading receiver, but I look for Grew to be clutch in the red zone and as a safety valve for Stafford this week.

Defensively, I feel that the Lion's key play this week will be whatever cornerback is matched up against Earl Bennett.  Since Bennett's return, he has clearly been the go to guy for Jay Cutler on passing downs.  Whether it be Houston, Wright, or somebody else guarding him, they need to shut him down.  I am also keeping a close eye on the linebackers this week, because they will be key to stopping Forte on first and second downs.  The defensive line should be a major factor as well, and if they can get it going against Cutler, it will make everyone else's job that much easier, as usual.

PREDICTION:
Man, I am tired of all of these so called "experts" who give Lion's opponents an advantage just because they are playing outdoors, on real grass, in the cold.  Guess what?  The Lions actually CAN practice OUTSIDE, on REAL grass, in the COLD!!  Wow...what a revelation...they're headquartered in MICHIGAN!  Playing at Soldier Field will not be the big advantage Bear's fans are hoping for, and the Lions will leave Chicago with a record of 7-2.  Lions win, AT Soldier Field, 31-17.

I want to thank all of you who read this post.  As always, I hope the refs do not beat us, and I hope that the Lions play a well disciplined game.   This has been KDawg, and you have been reading the week 10 (shortened) edition of the Weekend Spotlight!  Happy Football Sunday ladies and gentlemen, and GOOOOOOOOOO LIOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNSS!!!!!