Chief Matchups of Concern for Bears Against Lions
The strategic and leadership change involved with Darrell Bevell coaching the Detroit Lions against the Chicago Bears is a huge unknown factor in Sunday's rematch between these teams.
Bears coach Matt Nagy may have a handle on it.
"No. 1, I do know coach Bevell well," Nagy said. "We have had a relationship over the years. He's somebody that coached with (former Chiefs, Eagles assistant) Brad Childress and so there's that connection there. And when we were both quarterback coaches at the combine and different places, we were able to get to know each other.
"I have a lot of respect for him just going through his experience as a coach, as a former player in this league having a lot of success. Now he has his opportunity."
It's hard to see how it could actually benefit the Bears considering they couldn't even handle the team coached by Matt Patricia for three quarters in the season opener.
After all, the Lions are only a game behind the Bears in the standings, even if they've decided to scrap the program and go to something else next season.
There are other matchup problems for the Bears beyond Matt Nagy trying to match wits with a new coach in his first game.
The Lions saw some of these edges realized in building their 23-6 lead in the season opener before the Bears scored 21 fourth-quarter points.
With a different coach in charge and still with running back Adrian Peterson 35 years old and running hard, the Bears have to be concerned with several other Lions and who they are matched up against in this game.
Here are four troubling matchups for the Bears as they try to end a five-game losing streak.
Bears SS Tashaun Gipson vs. Lions TE T.J. Hockenson
Hockenson had a strong first year for a tight end and has made that proverbial jump many of the best tight ends make in their second year. He's already 13 receptions up on last year's 32-catch total, and his 66.2% reception rate when targeted is a 12-point climb over last year. He's also getting downfield better at 7.8 yards per target as compared to 6.2 last year. In the opener, Hockenson beat the Bears for five receptions and 56 yards with a touchdown. Matthew Stafford has used Hockenson extensively due to Kenny Golladay's poor health throughout the year and has developed a good rapport with him in the attack, especially against zone coverage. The Bears play zone extensively. Gipson started out solid but has gradually been exposed and now has a 115.1 passer rating against with 75% of passes completed when he's targeted, both poor numbers. He has continued to be an effective tackler with only 5.7% missed but his approach now, and that of a few other Bears secondary players, seems to be to let them catch the pass and then tackle them rather than make a play on the ball.
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson vs. Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr.
This matchup is created by Golladay's absence as he would normally line up on Johnson. Jones is best remembered by the Bears from the opener for "trucking" Johnson in his debut on one open-field tackle attempt, even though Johnson had a nice first game. Jones averages a lofty 17.03 yards a catch aganist the Bears with 32 receptions in 52 targets for two touchdowns. He had four receptions for 55 yards in the opener, a bit disappointing considering the responsibility on his shoulders without Gollday available. Johnson's season has been sliding slowly since that high point. He now has a 96.0 passer rating against with three touchdown passes allowed. For a rookie it's still been a solid first year and he rarely is content letting someone catch a pass without challenging. But more and more big passes allowed have pushed up his yards-per-catch allowed to 15.7 and he is missing too many tackles at 15.9%. Physically, Johnson should be able to handle this matchup but he needs to reverse this downward slide.
Bears OLB Robert Quinn vs. Lions LT Taylor Decker
Even if Quinn had proved a strong acquisition by Bears GM Ryan Pace, this would be a difficult matchup because Decker is one of the better left tackles in the NFC. The 6-foot-7, 318-pound former Ohio State player is quick, strong and technically superior to many left tackles both as a run blocker and pass blocker. He has committed only one hold and two false starts, and Pro Football Focus assesses two sacks allowed. He has a pass-blocking score on PFF's chart of 85.6, completely outstanding, and 83.5 overall. Quinn woke up from his lethargy last week with a season-high four tackles. He didn't get close to a sack, and didn't have a QB hit, so he has now gone 354 snaps without a sack and has just six pressures on the season. The Bears might almost be better off using Bilal Nichols in their four-man pass rush at the right defensive tackle spot while shifting Mario Edwards outside while simply sitting Quinn.
Bears TE Jimmy Graham vs. Lions SS Duron Harmon
Graham did avoid getting blanked last week, as had happened against Minnesota. However, his contribution came after the Bears had fallen hopelessly behind and the Packers weren't too worried about being beaten by a 34-year-old tight end for big yardage. He had three catches at 10.7 yards a catch. Graham remains useful in the red zone and an upgrade over last year's tight ends but doesn't help enough downfield and the Bears really need to focus all their tight end passing emphasis on Cole Kmet, their future. Harmon, a former Patriot, has been a positive for a bad Lions defense in his first year as a full-time NFL starter. He's allowing 65.2% completions and an 86.8 passer rating when targeted according to Sportradar, and he has also made two interceptions. PFF gives him a very strong 77.0 coverage grade.
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