Week 9 Preview: Lions at Chicago Bears

October 31, 11:45 AMDetroit Lions ExaminerChris Morgan

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AP Photo: Dan Orlovsky

Well, as of right now all is quiet on the Culpepper Apocalypse watch (or Culpocalypse, for you portmanteau fans) so that is a good thing. It allows us Lions fans to not have to worry about it, giving us plenty of time to worry about just how badly the Lions may get beaten this week as they travel to Soldier Field to play the Bears.

Earlier this season, Chicago thrashed the Lions soundly at Ford Field to the tune of 34-7, a game probably best remembered for being the last we have seen of Kitna this season, and very likely the last we ever see of him in a Lions uniform. It was an ugly game if you are a Lions fan, and there is no reason to believe it will be any different this time around on the road in the elements.

The Bears are of course known for their defense, but their offense has been vastly improved this season. Kyle Orton has actually had a good season, and has proven Chicago wise to push Rex Grossman to the sidelines. How they managed to make the Super Bowl with him under center is beyond me, but you aren't here to hear about Bears quarterbacks, other than how well they will do against the Lions. Well, Kyle Orton does better against Detroit than he does against any other team. Even though their wide receivers aren't exactly Pro Bowl type players, our secondary is even worse, so there is no reason to believe Orton won't continue his good fortune against the Lions.

Additionally, it would appear the Bears have found themselves a good running back in Matt Forte. He was drafted this season, much like Kevin Smith, but unlike Kevin Smith the Bears have actually let him get the bulk of the carries, instead of sticking him behind somebody the likes of Rudi Johnson. Last game between these two, he only eked out 36 yards rushing, but still scored a touchdown, and also caught one, and he will probably get the ball a lot more in what will be at the very least chilly weather in Chicago. Perhaps Kevin Jones will get some vengeance on his old team as well. Or, knowing Kevin Jones, he will injure himself early on and be rendered useless. Either is possible with that guy.

On offense, one can only assume the Lions will once again have trouble moving the ball. While Orlovsky might be alright, he has showed signs of improvement the last couple of weeks, the running game has been truly atrocious this season. No Lions running back has yet to crack 100 yards in a game, with Rudi Johnson's 83 against San Fransisco the season high. In the last game against the Bears, Kevin Smith only managed 31 yards to lead the team. Logic seems to dictate that you aren't going to win many games only putting up 31 yards rushing. I doubt even last year's Patriots team or the old "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams put up less than that most of the time, and they didn't have Dan Orlovsky throwing the ball for them. Of course, when you get behind early, you end up throwing the ball a lot more, and that is a situation the Lions find themselves in more often than not. Which is a shame, as it can only stunt Kevin Smith's growth.

It looks dour for the Lions once again this week. Chicago is fighting Green Bay for division supremacy, so you can only assume they'll be up for this game, especially with the Packers having to travel to Tennessee this week to play the undefeated Titans. The Bears are going to want to seize this opportunity, so I highly doubt they'll overlook a division rival just because they are a less than worrisome opponent. I don't think, or at the very least I really hope, it's not as bad as their previous match up, but it should still be another unpleasant experience for Lions fans.

Prediction: Bears 31, Lions 10