Both Chicago and Detroit need to get back on track. The Bears and Lions are preparing to be in the mix for the playoffs, but recent dips in production could prevent that from happening. Now the two teams face off in a Thanksgiving matchup on Thursday.
The Chicago Bears are not looking much better. They bounced back with wins over two easy teams, Tampa Bay and Minnesota. They are averaging 6.3 points per game less than last season. The team will rely heavily on the run game this season. Matt Forte has been the team's best performer with 1,420 yards from scrimmage. Against Tampa Bay, he put up 112 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Jay Cutler has been a turnover machine against the Lions. He tossed three against the Lions last season. Johnson had a big game that matchup, scoring three touchdowns while Bush rushed for 244 yards.
The Detroit Lions have been bad lately. Since beating the Miami Dolphins back on Nov. 9, the team has been held to just five field goals over the past two games while losing to both Arizona and New England. Attempting to avoid a third-straight defeat, the Lions are hoping to capitalize off a struggling Chicago Bears.
Head coach Jim Caldwell was very critical of his offense earlier in the week. The head coach noted that their simply is no rhythm. The team has fallen out of first place by one game and remain tied with San Francisco and Seattle for the wild card spot. If they can get healthy and back on track, the playoffs will be in their future. Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson will be a major part in that as injuries plague the stars. While being on and off the court, the Lions are averaging just 17.9 points per game. Matthew Stafford is coming off his worst game of his career while having just two 300-yard passing games this season.
The Detroit Lions are struggling. The team has not scored an offensive touchdown in the past two weeks while not scoring a rushing touchdown since Week 7. Things are not going well. Big-time offensive players are struggling with injuries while being on and off the field while quarterback play has been an issue. Now, the team faces the Chicago Bears who have their own issues in a rivalry Thanksgiving matchup.
