Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - Pregame thoughts

Game Information

The Windy City @ The Motor City

Kickoff: 1 p.m. EDT

Stadium: Ford Field

Television: WJBK-TV FOX Ch.2

Play-By-Play: Matt Vasgersian

Color: Brian Baldinger & Brian Billick

Sideline: Laura Okmin

Lions Radio Network: 97.1 FM The Ticket (WXYT-FM)

Play-By-Play: Dan Miller

Color: Jim Brandstatter

Sidelines:Tony Ortiz

2008 Records: Lions, 0-3; Bears, 2-2

The 4 things I'm watching, dammit!

(Why only 4? Because the more I wrote about the Lions, the more pissed off I get! I need to save my fury for the live blog.)

1. 21-0!

Hey, there was a little improvement 2 weeks ago, as the Lions only went down 21-3 against the Niners. Baby steps, folks. Baby steps. The Bears may not have a great offense (19th overall compared to the Lions 26th), but they can grind out yardage and clock with Matt Forte. Who needs to pass the ball, when the Lions' front 7 couldn't stop (place any no-name RB who piles up stats against the Lions here).

2. Will Jim Colletto channel his inner Mike Martz?

Colletto told the media this week he would open up the offense, hoping to not spot the Bears 3 TD's. Good in theory, but it also means the turnover machine known as Jon Pickna Shitna Kitna will have that many more opportunities to throw a pick. Be careful what you wish for...

3. Rudi! Rudi! Rudi!

So much for my picking Kevin Smith as a fantasy sleeper. Rudi Johnson was named the starting RB by Rod Marinelli this week, part of his not-so-well thought out plan to play veterans over youth. (aka attempting to save his job). It's all in vain, as there is no way in Hell Marinelli remains Lions head coach after this season. Till he gets the ziggy though, we'll have to put up with old and busted Lions like Johnson, Kitna and Paris Lenon taking PT away from young players.

4. BLITZ!

Supposedly the Lions, desperate to get any sort of pressure on the QB, will deviate from Marinelli's pride and joy, the Tampa Too defense, and blitz much, much, much more than normal. I'll believe it when I see it. Will blitzing really make any difference when your LB's are such immortals like Lenon and Alex Smith? No.

See ya in the live blog!