It has been exactly one month since Justin Fields has played in a game since dislocating his thumb. According to NFL Network, the Chicago Bears are expecting Fields to start against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday.
Fields is not the most prolific passer, but he is extremely mobile and able to extend plays with his legs- something that the Lions have had a tough time defending. Currently, the Lions are ranked 22nd in both the pass-rush and coverage, per PFF. Fields rushed for 279 yards between both games, but only threw for a collective 242 yards. Coming off a disappointing defensive effort against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Lions will need to gameplan accordingly, as the Bears have a new receiving threat that they did not have last season in DJ Moore.
While the Lions have struggled generating QB pressures all season, it is worth noting that in Week 17 last season, the Lions notched seven sacks in their 41-10 route over the Bears, while still allowing 132 yards on the ground from Fields. The Lions stifled Fields in the passing game, earning him a 31.7 grade, the lowest of his three-year career.
Ben Johnson is a SICKO 😅#OnePride pic.twitter.com/EfecxHE3qq
— Detroit Lions on Tap (@LionsOnTap) November 14, 2023
Backed by the leagues highest graded offense, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Lions continue to impress –removing the Baltimore Ravens game– on a weekly basis averaging over 400 yards and nearly 27 points per game, while the Bears defense is overall one of the worst (29th) this season allowing a staggering 25.5 points per game. Lions head coach Dan Campbell say that Aaron Glenn would get his defense ready, and they will figure it out during his press conference earlier in the week. If there was ever a week for the defense to bounce-back, it would be on Sunday in a divisional matchup against the 23rd ranked Bears offense.