Bears accuse Lions of dirty play and Matthew Stafford of folding

Henry Melton called center Dominic Raiola the Lions' biggest trash talker. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton accused Lions offensive players of playing "dirty," via the Chicago Tribune prior to the teams' game Sunday at Ford Field.

“Dirty. They’re dirty,” Melton said of the Lions. “They’ve always been a dirty team since I’ve been here. I don’t like them. They’re going to be looking for cheap shots and all that mess, just have to hold our composure and play the game we know.”

Melton said the Lions' dirty play is evident on game video. The Bears took exception to an Ndamukong Suh hit on quarterback Jay Cutler during their previous meeting at Soldier Field this season.

“They just try to do all this extra stuff, talking little cheap shots,” Melton said. “If you look at the tape, they’ve always thrown cheap shots, we had a brawl last year. It is what it is, I’m ready.”

Melton called center Dominic Raiola the Lions' biggest trash talker, accusing the veteran of swearing and taking cheap shots.

“He’s old and he just talks. He’s more just cuss words, bad language,” Melton said. “Then he’ll throw some cheap shots in there and then he’ll say some bad words.”

Bears safety Major Wright gave the Lions more bulletin board material when he accused Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford of folding under pressure.

“You’ve got Matthew Stafford; he’s definitely having an OK season,” Wright said. “He can make any throw on that field, so you have to be aware of putting pressure on him because you put a little pressure on him, he kind of folds.”