Lions Over Bears, Remain Undefeated

Calvin Johnson fends off Brandon Meriweather on his way to the end zone.
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The Detroit Lions are 5-0. If that sounds foreign, don't feel bad. It's the first time that Detroit has started a season 5-0 since 1956. It was only a 12 game season in those days and the Lions ended up 9-3 on the year. What was interesting about that team, as with this one is the meteoric rise going from worst to first. Something this same Lions team looks to do this year in the NFC North.

Amid the hoopla surrounding the upstart Lions, they had the home field in the Monday night affair with division rival Chicago. After a scoreless fourth quarter, the Lions found pay dirt as Matthew Stafford connected with Calvin Johnson for a 73 yard touch down pass and catch. After making the catch, Johnson fought off Safety Brandon Meriweather and trotted into the end zone. Johnson had a big night, with a total of 5 catches and 130 yards, but really set the tone with his scoring catch.

Jay Cutler started off accurately in the first half, completing 11 of his first 14 passes including a 9 yard hook up to Kellen Davis for the Bears only touch down of the night. It was good enough for Chicago to take the lead into the break at 10-7. From that point on, it was all about the Lions' defense. They continually put pressure on Cutler, sacking him 3 times and knocking him down 6 more. That pressure forced Chicago into costly penalties with 9 false starts stunting the offense that needed all the help it could get.

Much of that help came in the form of Matt Forte, who continues to be a force on the offensive side of the ball. Coming into this week, Forte was the 3rd in the NFL in yards gained from scrimmage since he came into the league in 2008 and he continues to impress. Forte, as it stands seems to be the only true viable threat on the Bears' offense and last night he accounted for 116 yards on the ground and added 4 receptions for 35 yards. Forte has been a stalwart since he put on a Bears helmet and he is showing his talents in a contract year that could net him a good paycheck the next time around, as he seems to be the only moving part in the Chicago offense.

 After the Lions forced a three and out, the offense went on a methodical 7 play drive, complete with 2 3rd down conversions and capped by an 18 yard pass to Brandon Pettigrew to put the Lions back in front. When the Bears got the ball back they started moving the ball up field but the drive stalled near mid field and Chicago was forced to punt. Stefan Logan was forced to fair catch the punt and Detroit was backed up, deep in their own territory on the 12 yard line.

This was no problem for Jahvid Best as he sprung loose after some solid blocks to open the hole and took the first play from scrimmage for 88 of his 163 yards and a score that would put the game out of reach. After Best's run it put Detroit ahead 21-10. It would end up being the last touch down scored as both sides managed a field goal in the final frame to make it 24-13. After the game, Best was asked about the turn around from a team that went 0-16 only three years ago to a squad who is contending for the NFC North crown. He stated, "Some of our guys were on the team, so they know what the city's been through. They know what this team's been through. I can definitely feel the sense of how hungry the city is."

Hopefully for Detroit they continue to feed off their city's hunger and show some themselves as their match up with suddenly explosive San Francisco looms large next week. "We'll start on San Fran in about an hour and a half," Coach Jim Schwartz stated, not satisfied with a 5-0 start. At least they get the 49ers at home next week while the Bears travel back to Chicago to face other division foe, the Minnesota Vikings.