NFL, Team News / Analysis, Calvin Johnson, Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
Despite entering the game with a heavy history of past disappointment (and many, many losing seasons), the Detroit Lions took the field before a record crowd at Ford Field. Entering the game at 4-0, Lions fans have had much to cheer for early in the season. This continued last night, and in convincing fashion as Detroit dominated the Chicago Bears and advanced to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history.
Nicknamed Megatron by both coaches and fans, receiver Calvin Johnson looked uncoverable yet again and continued to show why he is the best receiver in football. Though his record tying streak of four games with 2+ touchdowns came to an end, he had 130 yards and hauled in a 73 yard bomb from Matthew Stafford to put Detroit up early in the second quarter. Running back Jahvid Best played even better, rushing for 163 yards, including a huge 88 yard dagger touchdown in the third quarter (he also had big 43 yard run to set up the Lions’ final field goal to end the game).
As much a factor in the victory, however, was a relentless attack from the Lions defense. Led by the strong play of linemen Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Cliff Avril, Detroit sacked Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler three times, but pressured him on nearly every play. Cutler was constantly forced to throw weak, off-balance balls, and often found himself tasting turf.
With this big win, and four others leading up to it, the Lions have proved that they are for real. Their explosive offense, and hard-charging defense, showed that fans in Detroit finally have a team worth cheering for.
