Steve Mariucci and Lovie Smith are partners. In the small fraternity of NFL head coaches. In chasing the NFC North championship. In NFL denial.
Both are trying to forget unpleasantries suffered at the hands of the other. Mariucci’s came Sept. 18 when the Lions crawled out of Soldier Field with a 38-6 loss.
“I’m trying to block that one out,” the Lions coach said. “It was a crazy second quarter, it got away from us and that was it. Hopefully that was a one-time thing this year.”
For Smith and his Bears, the division lead is theirs with a victory. But the Bears have not won in Detroit since 2002. And no team for which Smith has coached has ever beaten Detroit both times in a season.
“The memory I carry is the last time we played them,” Smith said. “I like that memory a lot better.”
The Bears need more from Kyle Orton. Teams with backs rushing for 100-plus yards were 18-2 through the first three weeks of this season. The Bears were one of the two teams to lose and are only 2-2 when Thomas Jones rushes for 100 yards, which reflects poorly on Orton. Now, for the first time, he faces an opponent for a second time in a season.
“We’ll see what kind of adjustments they make,” Orton said. “I think we played pretty well against them, and I think you’ll know in the first couple series what they’re doing to adjust to you and what we can do to counter that.”
Who has the edge?
QUARTERBACKS
Kyle Orton has made few mistakes, and huddle believes in him. But Jeff Garcia is giving Lions spark after Joey Harrington era. EDGE: LIONS.
RUNNING BACKS
Thomas Jones is sixth in NFL in rushing. He also is receiving threat. Kevin Jones averaging only 2.9 yards per carry for Detroit. EDGE: BEARS.
RECEIVERS
Muhsin Muhammad is finally getting help from tight end Desmond Clark and Mark Bradley. With Lions’ Charles Rogers suspended and Kevin Johnson and Roy Williams injured, Mike Williams and tight end Marcus Pollard are go-to guys. EDGE: BEARS.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bears left tackle John Tait returned strongly from his sprained ankle, and line is protecting Orton well. Lions’ 3.3 yards-per-rush average among NFL’s worst. EDGE: BEARS.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bears getting pressure from variety of linemen; only team to allow zero rushing TDs. Tank Johnson becoming force in pass rush. Lions run stopper Shaun Rogers hampered by knee injury. Kalimba Edwards, Jared DeVries solid. EDGE: BEARS.
LINEBACKERS
Earl Holmes and Boss Bailey leading Lions in tackles. Bears linebackers have combined for 10 tackles for loss. Brian Urlacher’s six sacks NFL’s best at his position. EDGE: BEARS.
SECONDARY
Injuries to Dr Bly and Fernando Bryant seriously hurt Detroit corners for game in which Orton could finally stretch out. Bears intercepted five Harrington passes, but Garcia unlikely to be as helpful. EDGE: BEARS.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With Pro Bowler Eddie Drummond hurt, R.W. McQuarters may return kicks for Lions. Bobby Wade’s punt returns among NFL’s best. Robbie Gould will benefit from being indoors, but Jason Hanson gets edge in close game. EDGE: LIONS.
COACHING
Mariucci finally has a quarterback for his system. Smith has the defensive players for his. Nice matchup. EDGE: EVEN.
