4 Lions Players Who Must Shine against Bears
On Sunday against the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions have a chance to notch their 10th win on the season.
And, if the Lions do pull off the win, it'll mark their fourth straight victory against their divisional rivals from the Windy City.
In order to secure the Week 14 win, here are four Detroit players that must shine in the road contest.
QB Jared Goff
Goff put together an ugly performance – and a forgettable one – his last time out against the Bears. He threw three interceptions, and nearly cost the Lions the game.
He cleaned things up a week ago against New Orleans, and went turnover-free in the Week 13 contest.
When Goff is at his best, the play-action pass is in effect, and he's connecting with his favorite targets: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. It'd be nice to see the veteran signal-caller find his groove and doing the same thing on Sunday at Soldier Field.
EDGE Bruce Irvin
One game. One sack. The veteran EDGE surely made his presence known a week ago against the Saints.
In his season debut with Detroit, the 36-year-old produced a first-quarter sack of New Orleans’ Derek Carr, and then delivered a vicious blow to the veteran passer that knocked Carr out of the game.
Irvin played just 11 defensive snaps, but was everything that the doctor ordered for a pass-rush that has struggled throughout this season.
The Lions could use a sack or two out of Irvin once again Sunday against Chicago signal-caller Justin Fields. The third-year quarterback eluded a variety of Detroit defenders in Week 11, en route to amassing 104 yards on the ground. It marked his third consecutive game with 100-plus rushing yards against the Lions.
So, if Irvin and Detroit's pass-rushing unit could get home consistently enough against Fields, it'd go a long way toward limiting the effectiveness of the dual-threat passer in Week 14.
RB David Montgomery
Thus far, Montgomery has been worth every single penny the Lions gave him in free agency this offseason.
The fifth-year pro has accumulated 704 yards and a career-best 10 touchdowns, on 151 carries, in nine games this season. He's also amassed a career-high 4.7 yards per rushing attempt.
Additionally, in his first meeting with his ex-employers from Chicago earlier this season, he rushed 12 times for 76 yards – good for 6.3 yards a carry – and a touchdown.
I expect Ben Johnson to give Montgomery a healthy dose of carries, along with Jahmyr Gibbs, on Sunday in the Windy City, especially with cold weather in the forecast for the matinee game.
And, just like in his first career game against the Bears, I expect Montgomery to run with a vengeance, and to help key a Detroit victory in this Week 14 divisional matchup.
WR Jameson Williams
Does the second-year wideout have more explosive plays in him this season? I definitely think so.
And, I wouldn't be surprised to see Johnson dial one up for him Sunday at Soldier Field.
In the Lions’ first meeting with the Bears this season, the Alabama product was the recipient of a 32-yard touchdown bomb that played a significant role in the comeback win for Detroit.
The “speed demon” also seemingly flew into the end zone on a masterfully-designed reverse play in the Lions’ victory last week in New Orleans.
The 22-year-old has increasingly become an integral member of Detroit's high-flying offense, and I don't envision that stopping this weekend against the Bears.
