Def keeps the game close, the O is okay won't punch it in often
26-17 Lions
Key matchup, Boldin, in 3rd and short/med he is the Lions go to WR, which is why his ypc is just over 8ypc. If the Bears cannot contain Boldin they won't get their O off the field and it will be a long day.
Eddie Royal, WR, Bears (toe): Doubtful Royal did not practice this week after missing Week 13's matchup against the 49ers. The Bears wide receiver has already missed three games so far this season and is likely to miss his fourth against the Lions on Sunday. — Chris Emma, CBS Chicago
Marvin Jones, WR, Lions (quadriceps): Questionable Jones was a limited participant in practice all week after missing Week 13 with a thigh injury. Other than that, there's little information on his availability heading into Sunday. — DetroitLions.com
Theo Riddick, RB, Lions (wrist): Questionable After battling through an ankle injury for weeks, Riddick suffered a wrist injury this week that forced him to miss Wednesday's practice. He was a limited participant Thursday and Friday, however, and should be a game-time decision against the Bears. — DetroitLions.com
Adrian Amos S -- Full Participation in Practice -- ? Deiondre' Hall CB -- Full Participation in Practice -- ? Pernell McPhee LB -- Full Participation in Practice -- ? Tracy Porter CB -- Full Participation in Practice -- ? Willie Young LB -- Full Participation in Practice -- ? Michael Adams T Back Did Not Participate In Practice - Doubtful William Royal WR Toe Did Not Participate In Practice - Doubtful Jonathan Anderson LB Hamstring Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Johnthan Banks CB Ankle Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Josh Bellamy WR Shoulder Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Marquess Wilson WR Groin Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable
Travis Swanson C Concussion Did Not Participate In Practice - Out Ezekiel Ansah DE Ankle Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Don Carey S Hamstring Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Eric Ebron TE Knee Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Marvin Jones WR Quadricep Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable DeAndre Levy LB Knee Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Theo Riddick RB Wrist Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Dwayne Washington RB Ankle Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable Tahir Whitehead LB Knee Limited Participation in Practice - Questionable
I'm pretty excited about this game. Barkley's piques my interest in terms of running the offense. I think our OL is surprisingly good considering Long's out. I think we have an up and coming back who has me feeling optimistic and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they work in Cameron Meredith and Braverman now that Royal and potentially Bellamy are sitting for this game... and the D. OH MAN that D has me super pumped. D. Hall is making a return at DB - hoping he gets a lot of snaps so we can see him produce. Nick Kwiatoski and Timu are manning the middle - not as jazzed by Timu but still excited to see our LB depth go against a good team. We've got a mostly healthy D-Line rotation right now with Washington, GOldman, Hicks, and Unrein in there and short of Lamarr Houston, we've got everyone back in our OLB corp. That front group should create positive pass defense environments for our shoddy secondary, I'm excited to see if they can hold their own.
Good times. Seriously, without Cutler in there this is a new team to me and it has me looking toward the future. I can get down with that mainly because I don't have to feel so weighted down by the little faults - I can start seeing them as areas to improve.
Plus it's a division rivalry and we have the chance to sweep the fricking Lions who've made us their handmades the last few years.
I feel pretty good about the team's future. I am enjoying watching the young players improve each week. Some of these guys will go back to being depth players next year when the starters are healthy - but, these guys will be BETTER depth for having played this season in a significant role.