Bears-Lions Preview

Here's my preview of today's Bears-Lions game:

Games like this where one team has already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the other has basically mailed it in for the season are somewhat hard to predict, but I'll give it a shot. I expect the main Bears starters to play until about halfway through the third quarter.

Who Has the Edge?

Offense
For the Bears, the game plan is simple: do what you've been doing the past two games. Run the ball well with Jones and Benson, and make sure to remember the intermediate routes to TE Clark and WR Muhammad. Once you've established the run, take a deep shot or two with play action. The plan may be altered slightly today though, with starters like Grossman, Jones, and Muhammad expected to sit out some or all of the second half. Expect to see a shot of Vitamin B3: Benson, Berrian, and Bradley. The Lions will probably do what they've been doing since star RB Kevin Jones got hurt: throw, throw, and throw some more (without much success). QB Jon Kitna hasn't thrown more than one TD pass in a game since Week 7. WR Roy Williams is the Lions' only legitimate offensive threat now. Edge: Bears

Defense
The banged-up Bears D gets CB Nathan Vasher and SS Todd Johnson back today, but CB Charles Tillman and his bad back are inactive. Ricky Manning Jr. will start for Tillman, with Devin Hester likely playing the nickel again. Embattled DT Tank Johnson has been suspended for this game, so Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone will start at DT again. Scott and Boone need to do a better job of generating some pressure up the middle so that the Bears don't have to blitz so much. Todd Johnson's return should help in coverage, where Chris Harris tends to get caught out of position at times. With the Lions' running game (Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason) not much of a threat, the Bears should concentrate on pressuring Kitna into turnovers. With star DT Shaun Rogers on IR, the Lions D does not present much of a challenge. Edge: Bears

Special Teams
After his fumbling problems resurfaced last week, Devin Hester must concentrate on securing the ball as he avoids defenders. Robbie Gould also must work out his problems after missing a potential game-winning FG in overtime against the Bucs. Eddie Drummond has been one of the best return men in the league for a few years now, though he doesn't have a TD this season. Jason Hanson has three misses from 50+ yards, but has been otherwise accurate. Edge: Even

Coaching
Lovie Smith and Co. have taken a beating from some fans and media for their handling of the Tank Johnson situation. There is no right or wrong, clear-cut answer, but they'll have to deal with the consequences. Rod Marinelli and Mike Martz might be a good combo in a couple years or so, but they just don't have the players right now, especially with Kevin Jones' career in question. Edge: Bears

Intangibles
With Tank Johnson having been punished, I think the players have moved past it for now. How much the Bears will play their starters is probably the biggest question for them. Some Lions fans are apparently planning another walkout during this game... Edge: Bears

Prediction
Should be a fairly uneventful game... just hope that nobody gets hurt. Bears 27, Lions 13