Week 5 Preview: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
The Bears go into week five with their heads held high. The Bears defense looked very sharp last week against the Eagles and they hope the momentum will carry over into this week . Kyle Orton will need to limit his turnovers and Matt Forte should expect close to 30 carries, with Brandon Lloyd out and Marty Booker questionable. Greg Olsen should expect to get a few more passes this week also.
The Lions go into week five without a win and hope the firing of Matt Millen will produce some positive change. Look for Rudi Johnson and rookie Kevin Smith to split the carries until one shows they can break the Bears defense. Jon Kitna and Calvin Johnson will need to have some big hook ups, if they hope to match up against the Bears.
The Bears are the promising team in this match up and if they can limit the amount of turnovers, they will prevail. Look for Matt Forte to destroy the Lions defense and and possibly have a career day. For the Lions to have any chance, they will need to get the run game going early, which will open up the passing lanes for Kitna.
Around the Division: Week 4
This is our first installment of ‘Around the Division.’ Each week we will look around the division to see whats going on. Find the scores from the previous week, and any other notes we feel you should know about.
Green Bay Packers (2-2): Lost 30-21 at Tampa Bay Bucaneers
The Green Bay Packers may have lost more than just the game in week 4, quarter back Aaron Rodgers sprained his throwing shoulder during the fourth quarter and missed a series. He returned, but did not look like himself. Rodgers wasn’t the same he had been the previous three weeks, as he threw his first interception in the game, which was one of three he three. The Packers run game wasn’t much either, as Ron Grant ran fur just 20 yards on 15 carries. Packers fans must be cringing after Brett Favre thew 6 touchdowns for the Jets. 
Next week the packers host the Atlanta Falcons at home.
Minnesota Vikings (1-3): Lost 30-17 at Tennessee Titans
The Minnesota Vikings may also have lost more than just the game, as quarter back Gus Frerotte left with an injury during the fourth quarter. Star running back Adrian Peterson continued to run over defenders as he rushed for 80 yards and two scores, but also lost two costly fumbles. Former Bear Bernard Berrian has 5 catches for 78 yards. Defensively the Vikings gave up 74 rushing yards and 3 rushing tuchdowns to Lindale White and rookie Chris Johnson combined. Next week the Vikings travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Monday Night Football.
Detroit Lions (0-3): Bye Week
The Detroit Lions had a bye in week 4, but made news by firing general manager Matt Millen early in the week. The Lions will host our Chicago Bears in week 5.
Orton’s go-to guy(s), Lloyd and Forte?
After three weeks, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd appears to be the Bears, or at least Kyle Ortons, go-to wide out. The six foot receive leads all bears receivers in yards and yards per catch with 216 and 16.6. respectively. Lloyd’s ability to adjust to deep passes by not necessarily running by guys has been a great option to Orton, whose deep ball is not always on target. Ron Turner, coach of Lloyd at the University of Illinois, always new he had great talent and was not afraid to bring him to Chicago during the off-season despite a poor 2007 season in which Lloyd caught only two balls and caused several problems within the locker room.
After three weeks, rookie running back Matt Forte leads all NFL running backs in carries with 73 touches. Forte has carried the load for Chicago early in the season, which should cause teams to bring more men into the box opening up the passing game. Forte’s 304 rushing yards ranks him fourth in the league, and he ranks second in yards from scrimmage behind Frank Gore with 405 total yards. And Lovie Smith says his work load isn’t going to decrease anytime soon, “He’s young right now with a lot of energy. Whenever Matt isn’t on the field, it isn’t really good for us.”
First round draft pick Chris Williams returned to practice for the first time Wednesday since his surgery. Williams put the pads on and everything, but was limited to individual and conditioning drills. No time table is set for Williams return, and Run Turner believes it will take a while for the rookie to get into full team practice as he had no training camp or pre-season.
In other news around the division, the Detroit Lions have finally let go of general manager Matt Millen. During Millen’s tenure with the Lions, the team finished has more loses than any other team.
