Bears have to watch out for Lions' receiver
The Detroit Lions' run game is one of the league's worst, ranking 29th in yards and 30th in average gain per rush. But they're No. 8 in passing yards, led by 5-foot-10, 197-pound wide receiver Golden Tate.
"He's a really good runner after the catch," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He's kind of built like a running back and runs like one. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he's a double threat - not just catching it, but then after he catches it what he does with it.
"He's good on the low routes, but yet he can get deep balls, too. He's kind of a complete receiver with really good running ability after the catch."
Since 2014, Tate leads the NFL with 2,224 yards after the catch, and he's third this season with 382. He'll test the tackling ability of Bears defensive backs, which was poor last week against the Green Bay Packers.
"They all have to know, No. 1, that he's really good after the catch," Fangio said. "Your best effort in tackling, both from a mindset and technique standpoint, is going to be needed when you're going up against a guy like this."
Missing ingredient:
Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (calf) missed last week's game vs. the Packers and is not expected to play vs. the Lions, even though he was listed as "questionable," despite not practicing for a second straight week. He could be out much longer, according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
"Calves are just like hamstrings, but they don't happen as often," Fangio said. "Danny had been playing very good for us there for a four- or five-week stretch where he had played his best football since he had gotten here (in 2016).
"So obviously you're going to miss a guy like that when he goes down."
Although he has missed two games, Trevathan is still second on the team with 52 tackles, trailing only Christian Jones, who has 55.
Making an impact:
Five-year veteran running back Benny Cunningham, in his first year with the Bears, is the team's nominee for Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
Each team nominates one player who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship on the field. The award was created in 2014 in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, Sr. The winner is determined by a vote of current NFL players.
"Benny's represented both in a leadership role as well as sportsmanship throughout this building in his short time here," coach John Fox said.
Feels like home:
The Bears have resided in the bottom half of the four-team NFC North for 58 straight weeks. The last time they weren't in the bottom half was the third week of the 2014 season, when they were 2-1.
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