1 week ago
2
The NFL schedule makers knew what they were doing when they put together the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions in the final week of the 2025 regular season.
While it was likely expected that the stakes would be much higher for both teams, not many expected the Bears to be in playoff contention, even more so, battling for the No. 2 seed in the NFC. With a win over Detroit, Chicago will clinch the second seed, continuing to put an exclamation on an incredible season that saw them won the NFC North for the first time since the 2018 season.
Advertisement
In order to get that win over the Lions, the Bears are going to need a much better defensive performance not only from their Week 2 meeting against Detroit but even more so after their poor showing in Week 17 in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Detroit used their high-powered offense and put together several big plays to put up 52 points on the Bears defense, which can't happen after they just allowed 42 to San Francisco last week.
Here are the top defensive keys for Chicago as they look for revenge against Detroit:
Stop the run
Although the Bears have one of the best rushing attacks on offense, they've been very vulnerable defensively against the run. Detroit put up 177 yards on the ground in the Week 2 matchup against Chicago, and just last week against the 49ers, the Bears allowed 200 rushing yards, including 140 to Christian McCaffrey. The Lions, like San Francisco, has one of the most elusive and dangerous running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs, a talent that must be stopped for any chance of a victory. There's no nice way to put it, Chicago's run defense has been gashed a lot this season, giving up over 135 yards per game.
Advertisement
No big plays
Known for their high-powered offense over the last several seasons, the Lions continued with their identity in the first meeting this year, averaging 8.8 yards per play against the Bears. Allowing nearly 500 yards of total offense to the 49ers last week, the defense must wake themselves up in taking on a Lions offense that has nothing to lose but could look to pull out all the stops against the Bears. Detroit has already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the potential of ruining Chicago's chances to earn the No. 2 seed is still in play.
Don't let up
Facing the Lions couldn't come at a better time if you're the Bears defense, especially in terms of a unit that is looking for a wakeup call. Their poor performance against the 49ers was a reality check that the defense is not in playoff mode just yet, and they need to significantly improve before they reach the postseason. Even with there being no stakes in play for Detroit, they could enjoy the possibility of playing spoiler, which means the defense has to bring the clamps for all four quarters. When Chicago gets the momentum on defense, they can't take their foot off the gas pedal. In Week 17, linebacker T.J. Edwards got a pick-6 on the first play of the game, but then the entire defense allowed 42 points and nearly 500 yards. If they can slam the door on Detroit's offense, they're going to have to do just that.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Lions: Keys for Chicago's defense in Week 18
English (US) ·