Preview: Lions Must Contain DJ Moore

Previewing Lions-Bears with Bear Digest.

Gene Chamberlain covers the Chicago Bears for Bear Digest. He answered five questions from All Lions to preview Sunday's matchup between Detroit and Chicago. 

1.) How have the Bears performed with Justin Fields back under center?

Chamberlain: They've been a bit more consistent in getting it to DJ Moore downfield or in space where he can catch and run since Fields returned and replaced Tyson Bagent. Moore is up to second in the league now in yards after the catch. Fields also hasn't thrown an interception since returning and has only thrown one in four games, although he showed against Minnesota and the Lions he is still capable of letting the ball loose when sacked or tackled. Their conventional running game has been spotty but they've been shuttling around running backs because of injuries and that never helps. Now they have the chance to utilize the same offensive line for the third straight game for the first time this season and the blocking should be better.

2.) This game is expected to have inclement weather. Is it fair to assume a heavy dose of Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman?

Chamberlain: I'm not trusting any of these weather forecasts, for one. We've been told at three games this season they're going to have rain all game, or they're going to have excessive winds in the 30 mph range all game. In none of those did the poor conditions pan out. But if it does, they could expect a heavy dose of whoever the running backs are. Foreman's health could still be a concern and it would be Roschon Johnson and Herbert instead. Foreman had an injured ankle/shin heading into the Detroit game and aggravated it then so he left and hasn't played since then, although he's looking better for this week after the bye.

3.) How motivated are the Bears to avenge their loss to the Lions at Ford Field?

Chamberlain: The motivation seems to be more about finishing games when they have leads than it is about the Lions specifically, although after ending a streak of 12 straight divisional losses in their last game they would be motivated by another chance to beat a divisional opponent. They that game on their minds in their last game against Minnesota when they were able to finish, although they also blew that lead with stupid mistakes but then pulled it out at the end. The Bears haven't progressed to the point where they can specfically talk about beating opponents and getting revenge. They merely need to become better protecting late leads or coming from behind.

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4.) How equipped is the defense to handle Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who is playing at a very high level during his rookie season?

Chamberlain: Considering linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, safety Jaquan Brisker and slot cornerback Kyler Gordon are all healthy now after earlier injury issues and T.J. Edwards has been playing at a Pro Bowl level, they should be able to handle a tight end. Considering they held LaPorta to a career-low 18 yards receiving and a career-low three catches in their first game when not all those players were entirely healthy -- Edmunds was plagued by a knee injury and had his play count limited in that game and Brisker was a week removed from a concussion -- they should be able to find a way to contain the Lions tight end again.

5.) How do you see this Week 14 contest playing out?

Chamberlain: I see the Bears offensively able to put something up early and giving up some yards and scores early, then playing on a fairly even basis but in the end the Lions are too polished in their offense and the Bears defense, though capable of playing at high levels, seems to go into its soft Tampa-2 shell at the wrong times and surrenders drives when they can't afford to do it. I see the Lions on a late field goal winning it 27-24. So if the spread stays at three, no one's getting anything out of it.