Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions: Week 16 Players to Watch

Bears vs. Lions Take Two. This time on the grass outside in the elements of Chicago. Will the weather and the injuries add up to a Bears’ upset?

The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs. So much can and does change from week to week. Teams, schemes, coaches, and injuries all factor into performances on any given Sunday.

In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I figure to be integral to their respective teams’ success. You won’t see any QBs as they are, in my opinion, the most critical position in all of sports and, thereby, an obvious choice. You also won’t see any star defensive players like Myles Garret or Nick Bosa. Again, too obvious.

No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet often just as critical to the success of the team.

Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears. But first – a look at the Detroit Lions players on IR.

Offense: Rome Odunze, WR

Rookie Terrion Arnold, former Bear Kindle Vildor and nickel back Amik Roberson are in line to start against the Bears this Sunday in Chicago with Carlton Davis, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Khalil Dorsey now on IR. Add stud DT Alim McNeil to those who will not be active for the second stint against the Detroit Lions, the Bears should be able to put up more than 20 points this time around, especially at home. Key word there being should. Speaking of “shoulds,” Rome Odunze SHOULD be able to eclipse his stat line of 2 catches for 25 yards on 6 targets. If Caleb and Rome can take advantage to the injuries to the Lions defense, Rome could end up having a huge day. Considering DJ Moore and Keenan Allen roasted and toasted the Lions on Thanksgiving, they should get some extra help over the top from a hobbled Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. This means more opportunities for Rome. Look for the future stars of Chicago to have a big day at Soldier Field. If not, hopefully everyone can enjoy seeing our future head coach roam the sidelines of his home for the remainder of his illustrious career.

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

Hat tip to Nicholas Moreano with this sweet player film assessment here!

Defense: Tremaine Edmunds, LB

In a Tampa-2 defense, the MLB has a lot of ground to cover, particularly in between the hashes between 10-20+ yards downfield. Where have the majority of 3rd and longs been converted on our defense? Between 10-20 yards downfield and between the hashes. I am not saying this falls squarely on Edmunds as we will never know the exact play called or what everyone’s responsibilities are, but if Edmunds continues to be a fingertip (or entire body-length) out of position, it won’t matter how the defense holds up against the run or how firm they hold in the red-zone. They need to get off the field on 3rd down and Tremaine Edmunds is a key factor in making that happen. Add to that the play of TE Sam LaPorta and RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Edmunds will have his hands full. Well, these are exactly the types of games we paid him big bucks for. Time to earn it. If Edmunds can step up and have one of his best games of the season, I not only think it’s possible to win, I expect a win for the Bears this week. If he is once again victimized on 3rd down and fails to get his hands on the RB until 5 yards or more downfield, expect the Boo Birds to come early and often as the Lions embarrass the home team despite more injuries than any other team in the league.

Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

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And now on to the Detroit Lions:

Offense: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB

In his last game against us, Gibbs only carried it 9 times but amassed 87(!) yards on those carries for a 9.7 yard average. He added 2 catches for 17 yards. With David Montgomery out last week in the Loss against the Buffalo Bills, Gibbs carried the ball 8 times for 31 yards and a TD while adding 5 catches for 83 yards and another TD. Suffice it to say, #26 will be key this week at Soldier Field for the Lions.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Defense: Jack Campbell, LB

When the Lions drafted Jack Campbell with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2023 draft (6 picks after they selected Gibbs) out of Iowa, I knew they got themselves a ball player. Standing 6’5”, weighing in at 243lb with athleticism to boot, Campbell can wreck the game all over the field. Just last time we played them he almost knocked out our QB with a clean but brutal hit in bounds. If Campbell can shut down the run game while limiting Cole Kmet and the RB’s in the pass game, he will wreck this game.

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

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Recap from Week 15 (along with in-season recap):

Bears O – Braxton Jones/Kiran Amegadjie, LT: No comment.

Bears D – Montez Sweat, DE: 2 tackles and 1 TFL. He has not showed up this season.

Vikes O – TJ Hockenson, TE: 5 for 52 with multiple first downs.

Vikes D – Jonathan Greenard, DE: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QBH, 1 FF.

There is 0 chance of a Bears win when all 4 players perform in a way that favors the opponent. What about when it’s mixed? I went back at each week’s PTW selections and here’s what I found:

Week 1: Shelton, Jaylon, Pollard, Snead – Bears split the difference and barely won. W

Week 2: Braxton, Brisker, Mixon, Edwards – Only Brisker showed up and we lost. L

Week 3: Swift, Edmunds, Pierce, Paye – Maybe Edmunds only. L

Week 4: Roschon, Edwards, Atwell, Fiske – We split the difference and barely won. W

Week 5: Hurricane Helene

Week 6: Keenan, Sweat, Tank, Travon – All four in our favor. Big win. W

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Rome, Byard, Biadasz, Newton – Maybe Rome? L

Week 9: Kmet, Gervon, McBride, Budda – None in our favor. L

Week 10: Bates, Pickens, Stevenson, White – Bates alone in our favor. L

Week 11: DJ, Gordon, Jacobs, Clark – 2/4 almost worked again. L

Week 12: Rome, Jaylon, O’Neill, Van Ginkel – 1/4 if we count Jaylon. L

Week 13: Kmet, Spidey, Knuckles, Joseph – 2/4 as Kmet was non-existent. L

Week 14: Teven, Walker, Guerendo, Floyd – 0/4. Total beatdown from start to finish. L

Week 15: Braxton, Sweat, Hockenson, Greenard – 0/4. Total beatdown from start to finish. L

We need at least half in our favor in order to have a shot. Otherwise, expect the L.

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What about you? Who are some key players to watch this week against the Lions?