Tickets–None available. Sellout of 65,790.
TV-radio–WBBM-TV (Channel 2), Tim Ryan and Johnny Morris. WGN-AM (720), Wayne Larrivee, Dick Butkus, Jim Hart.
The game–Seventh of eight NFC Central Division games, and the first against the Lions.
The series–Bears lead 57-42-3.
Last game–Dec. 16, 1984. The Bears won 30-13 in Pontiac when former Detroit quarterback Greg Landry scored one touchdown and completed a 55-yard touchdown pass to Willie Gault.
The records–The Lions (5-4) beat the Falcons 28-27, beat the Cowboys 26-21, lost to the Colts 14-6, beat the Buccaneers 30-9, lost to the Packers 43-10, lost to the Redskins 24-3, beat the 49ers 23-21, beat the Dolphins 31-21, lost to the Vikings 16-13. The Bears (9-0) beat the Buccaneers 38-28, the Patriots 20-7, the Vikings 33-24, the Redskins 45-10, the Buccaneers 27-19, the 49ers 26-10, the Packers 23-7, the Vikings 27-9 and the Packers 16-10.
What to watch–When the Lions have the ball, QB Eric Hipple will try to get it to big-play WRs Leonard Thompson and Mark Nichols against Bear cornerbacks. RB James Jones had 100-yard days against the 49ers and Dolphins. When the Bears have the ball, they should be able to run against the worst run defense in the league. The Lions have injury problems at linebacker and must stop the greatest runner in history, Walter Payton, and the biggest runner in history, William Perry. The Lions also play a zone defense that invites short passes. The Bears say they will start Steve Fuller at quarterback in place of the injured Jim McMahon.
Key matchups–Lions` WR Mark Nichols vs. Bears` LCB Reggie Phillips. The Lions will test rookie Phillips in first start.
Lions` RB James Jones vs. Bears` MLB Mike Singletary. Jones is trying to take up slack after loss of Billy Sims and Wilbert Montgomery.
Bears` C Jay Hilgenberg vs. Lions` NT Doug English. Hilgenberg is playing like a Pro Bowl starter. English is a perennial all-pro.
Bears` RB Walter Payton vs. Lions` FS William Graham. Three defensive backs lead the Lions in tackles.
Key injuries–Lions: LB Kurt Allerman (ribs) doubtful; QB Eric Hipple
(ribs), G David Jones (neck), G Larry Lee (ankle), G Don Greco (concussion)
all probable. Bears: WR James Maness (groin) doubtful; CB Mike Richardson
(hamstring), WR Willie Gault (ribs) both questionable.
