Chicago Bears Week 13: What To Look For

Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears’ pass rush must take advantage of Lions’ line troubles.

I mentioned earlier that the Bears have had trouble with offensive line injuries. Well, the Lions are having their own troubles. Their top lineman, Larry Warford, is out with a knee injury. Riley Reiff, the left tackle, injured his knee last week against the New England Patriots, and may not play. LaAdrian Waddle has been in and out of the lineup because of injuries as well.

It appears that the Lions will have two undrafted free agents starting on their line.

The Bears’ pass rush has shown signs of breaking out of its slump. Jared Allen has been getting a lot more pressure on opposing quarterbacks than he was earlier in the season. Perhaps it was the pneumonia he suffered through a couple of weeks ago, but he is getting off the ball better and working through blockers. He should be licking his chops facing an inexperienced lineman.

The other end is looking to have a great game is Willie Young. He spent four years in Detroit as a backup defensive end, but the Lions did not want to re-sign him. With the Bears this season, he is having a breakout year. He has more sacks in 11 games (8) with Chicago than he did in four years in Detroit (6). He wants to show the Lions what they are missing out on, and facing a banged-up offensive line can help his do just that.

Next: The secondary has to keep Johnson and Tate under control