Arkush: For Bears, desperate times call for desperate measures
The Bears meeting with the Lions Sunday at Soldier Field is as close to a true must-win as the team has faced in the Matt Nagy era.
While the perception is the Lions are a tough and competitive 0-3, the reality is they played a quarter and a half against the 49ers after San Francisco went on cruise control and they disappeared in the second half vs. the Packers.
In each of the first three weeks the Rams, Bengals and Browns could dictate what the Bears had to do to win, this week the Bears are in the driver's seat. If they figure out how to execute their own plan the Lions are unlikely to stop it.
The Bears are 3-point favorites and the over/under is 42.
Matchups to watch
Lions Tre Flowers, Michael Brockers, Charles Harris vs. Germain Ifedi, offensive line
There were problems up and down the line last week in Cleveland but Ifedi was the weakest link, and Detroit's rookie defensive coordinator has certainly studied the tape. Expect Flowers to move around but he is the Lions only "professional pass rusher" and is sure to get multiple cracks at Ifedi.
Brockers is a very good interior tackle who will have to be neutralized. While Harris has been a failed first-round pick his first four seasons in Miami and Atlanta, he has 2 sacks in the first three games.
Coach decision to watch
Who will start at quarterback for the Bears and how will they protect him?
Nagy's decision to hide who is starting at quarterback and who actually is calling the plays smacks of panic.
Jason Peters previously explained to us how different it can be pass protecting for Andy Dalton or Justin Fields. Is it really possible after the disaster last week Nagy forced them to split their practice time on different techniques, timing and play calls?
If his shenanigans don't result in a win there may be no more safety net making it really curious why he'd put all his eggs in this basket.
Players(s) to watch
Lions D'Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson and A.J. Parker; Bears Justin Fields, Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet
Swift and Hockenson are the only weapons on the Lions offense that have to be identified at all times. Any NFL offensive player is a threat to make a big play at any time, but if you're worried about a guy who can actually beat you mostly by himself they're the two to watch.
Parker is the corner the Bears are most likely to try and pick on.
Even if Dalton does try and go, the "Fields' package" will be a factor, and either finding his M.I.A. tight ends could be the offensive ingredient missing the first three weeks.
The X-factor(s)
Lions WR's Kalif Raymond, Quintez Cephus and Trinity Benson; Bears Andy Dalton and Justin Fields
What, you've never heard of Raymond, Cephus and Benson? They're one, two and three at wideout for Jared Goff and they shouldn't be able to beat the Bears secondary but ...
The Dalton-Fields mystery speaks for itself.
Wild-card players
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, RB Jamaal Williams, DE Nick Williams
St. Brown is a promising youngster. J. Williams was once a No. 1 at Green Bay and is capable of big plays. N. Williams could end up in the quarterback's lap on occasion.
Key stat
Lions defense is 32nd in points allowed (31.7); Bears offense is 31st in points scored (13.3).
The final word
Bears 30, Lions 16
Bears players are embarrassed and simmering over last week's mess and there is more than enough talent and anger on defense and in the running game for the Bears to come out and put one on the Lions. The sideshow of Nagy's shenanigans is unlikely to help generate a win, hopefully the additional distractions won't cause a loss.
• Twitter: @Hub_Arkush