Week 16 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 26, Detroit Lions 21

What you need to know

Chicago Bears

Chicago has its path to the playoffs secure but they should be a little concerned about facing the hot teams when the post season starts. They managed to pull this one out at the end against one of the worst teams in the league. Their offense has been sputtering and their defense has been surrendering yards and points to lesser teams. They are on a four game winning streak and are rolling into the final week of the season at 13-2, but the way they are winning is cause for concern through the playoffs.

Rex Grossman was again uninspiring. He did not have a bad game statistically with 20 out of 36 for 197 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, but he could not get the Bears ahead to stay. Apparently, head coach Lovie Smith has been watching and listening to everyone else. With the Bears trailing by one in the fourth quarter, Coach Smith finally decided to pull Grossman and insert Brian Griese at quarterback.

Griese immediately led the Bears on a 72 yard drive that culminated in a field goal by Robbie Gould. On the next Bears’ offensive series, Griese again led them into field goal range. Gould then completed the scoring with his fourth field goal of the game. Griese was six out of nine for 51 yards in his limited role. He did bring the Bears back and secured them a win.

There should now officially be a quarterback controversy in Chicago that even the head coach must admit to. Do they continue letting Grossman direct the offense when the offense has been close to giving away games or do they make the switch to Griese official to allow Griese time to get prepared for the playoffs?

Either way, Chicago must also now refocus their defense. They have been scored on far too often in recent weeks by inferior teams. Congratulations to the Bears on a magnificent season, but they need to solidify quickly.

Detroit Lions

Detroit put on one of their best performances this year in losing to the Bears. They should have been destroyed but hung on and even led briefly in the final quarter. That said, the Lions lost their seventh straight game and are now 2-13 on the year. Head coach Rod Marinelli and Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz have had a horrible year, but they stand a good chance to be given a little more time to try to turn this around. They have a huge job in front of them to bring the Lions team back to respectability. The flip side of a lousy season is, of course, they have an excellent chance to pick up Brady Quinn with the number one pick of next year’s draft. Quarterback Jon Kitna has had a forgettable season but he vastly improved his performance for this contest. He completed 60% of the 45 passes he threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns. With Kevin Jones out with an injury, Kitna responded with one of the top quarterback displays of the week. His overall performance was blemished by a late fumble at a critical time. It was his league leading 30th turnover of the year.

The running back committee replacing Jones had limited success with Arlen Harris picking up 44 yards and Aveion Cason collecting 31 yards. They ran fairly well but the success of the Detroit passing game kept their rushing attempts and totals down.

Devale Ellis had a good game as a special teamer, with commendable statistics returning kicks and punts, and with one fumble recovery.

The close loss was just another disappointing moment to the Lions’ season. Hopefully some of the pivotal players will respond with good efforts in the season finale as they play for a position on next year’s rebuilding team.

What you ought to know

QB Rex Grossman, Pass: 20 - 36 - 197 - 1 TD / 0 INT

Grossman has been on a roller coaster ride this year going from a poor exhibition season to top performances early in the year and then to a string of turnover prone outings. He is not playing at a high level and after having stared at the strong likelihood of being replaced for half of the season, he was finally pulled in favor of Brian Griese for most of the fourth quarter. Grossman finished with almost 200 yards and one touchdown but could not seem to finish the offensive drives regularly for Chicago. It will be interesting to see if he can regain the starting quarterback job.

QB Brian Griese, Pass: 6 - 9 - 51 - 0 TD / 0 INT

Griese has been hearing his name shouted by fans and media a lot this year. As Rex Grossman has struggled, the calls for Griese have mounted. Head Coach Lovie Smith finally pulled Grossman and let Griese run the offense for the final two series of the game. Griese responded with two scoring drives, albeit they each ended with a field goal. He should stand a good chance of getting more time as the signal caller in the final regular season game of the year for Chicago.

RB Cedric Benson, Rush: 15 - 49 - 0, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Benson ran okay as part of the running back by committee. He finished with 49 yards on 15 carries. He caught both passes thrown his way. He split time almost evenly with Thomas Jones.

RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 12 - 62 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (3 targets)

Jones had a few less carries but better yardage, finishing with 12 carries for 61 yards. He pulled in two of the three passes thrown his way. Without a clear cut number one running back, neither Chicago back can be depended on for regular strong fantasy production.

RB Adrian Peterson, Rush: 3 - 5 - 1, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Peterson provides just one more running back complicating the mix preventing any of them from great totals. He only had three carries for five yards, but he picked up the only rushing touchdown.

RB Jason McKie, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Providing an occasional safety net, fullback Jason McKie caught both short passes that were thrown his way.

WR Bernard Berrian, Rec: 5 - 43 - 1 (12 targets)

Berrian was targeted often. Due to his early touchdown reception, he finished with good statistics. Third year player Berrian continues to show a lot of promise for the future. He has arrived this year as a dependable, professional wide receiver.

WR Mark Bradley, Rec: 3 - 28 - 0 (5 targets)

Bradley pulled in three of the five passes sent his way for 28 yards. He is still entrenched as a third wideout in the offensive plans.

WR Muhsin Muhammad, Rec: 3 - 64 - 0 (10 targets)

Muhammad was targeted ten times but could connect with Grossman on only three attempts. He should continue to be regularly targeted and provide fair to good stats.

WR Rashied Davis, Rec: 1 - 27 - 0 (3 targets)

Davis only caught one of the passes thrown his way but he did well on a couple chances at returning kickoffs.

TE Desmond Clark, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (3 targets)

Clark provides a nice receiving target and hauled in all three passes thrown his way. He is one of the better tight ends in the league.

TE Gabe Reid, Rec: 3 - 18 - 0 (4 targets)

Reid was another good option for the Bears’ passing attack, collecting three of the four passes directed for him.

TE John Gilmore (1 targets)

Gilmore saw limited duty and had no catches or offensive yardage.

PK Robbie Gould 4 - 4 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 14 points

Gould had another great game in a season of exceptional performances. He was perfect as he hit four out of four field goals and both extra point attempts. Gould has developed into one of the top kickers in the league this season.

CHI Rush Defense

The Chicago rush defense had a good game when you consider that they held Detroit to only 67 net yards. They prevented any rushing touchdowns for the Lions and did not allow any rushing breakaways.

CHI Pass Defense

The Bears’ pass defense was victimized by a very suspect quarterback for a weak team. They allowed Jon Kitna to complete 27 out of 45 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. They got to Kitna for three sacks and forced him into one fumble, but they did not play like a top defense.

QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 27 - 45 - 283 - 3 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Kitna was brought to task recently for his quarterback play lately. He responded with a good overall effort, collecting 283 yards while completing 60% of his passes. He spread his passes around quite a bit, but gave up the ball during crunch time near the end of the game. That was his 30th turnover this year. If he remains with the team during the off season, he will probably be looking at a top rookie quarterback getting selected next year for the Lions.

RB Arlen Harris, Rush: 10 - 44 - 0, Rec: 5 - 26 - 0 (7 targets)

Harris is okay as a backup but should not be counted on to match the output of injured running back Kevin Jones. He did pick up 44 yards on ten carries and he added five receptions for 26 yards. For leagues that award points for receptions, he finished with good totals for an injury replacement.

RB Aveion Cason, Rush: 5 - 31 - 0 (2 targets)

Cason saw limited duty as a running back with only five carries. He did not catch either of the two passes targeted for him.

RB Lamar Gordon, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0

Gordon is on the outside looking in. His only statistical production was a single rush for two yards.

WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 10 - 107 - 1 (11 targets)

Furrey has really come on strong as a favorite target in the Lions’ passing game. He caught ten of the eleven passes directed to him, including one for a 20 yard touchdown. Furrey has become an unlikely star outshining first rounders at wide receiver.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 6 - 79 - 1 (13 targets)

Williams had an excellent game pulling in six receptions for 79 yards. He caught one short pass for a two yard touchdown. Williams has been one of the better producers for this troubled team.

WR Mike Williams, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (7 targets)

Williams is becoming a viable option at wide receiver. He only caught two of the seven passes thrown to him, but it’s good to just see the former first round pick participating with positive results.

WR Devale Ellis, Rush: 1 - -9 - 0

Ellis had negative yardage rushing one time and was not targeted as a receiver. However, he had good results returning kickoffs and punts. He also had a fumble recovery.

TE Dan Campbell, Rec: 2 - 31 - 1 (4 targets)

Campbell caught a 23 yard pass for a touchdown. He provided Kitna with a big dependable target. He would have had three receptions but one was nullified by a Detroit penalty.

TE Sean McHugh, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets)

McHugh saw one pass come his way and successfully pulled it in. He just provided another possible receiving option for the quarterback.

TE Casey Fitzsimmons, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Fitzsimmons caught the only pass meant for him. It was for short yardage and he produced minimal fantasy points.

PK Jason Hanson 0 - 0 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 3 points

Hanson was perfect in his scoring attempts. He hit all three extra point kicks. Unfortunately, he did not have any opportunities for field goal tries.

DET Rush Defense

The Detroit rushing defense gave up over 100 yards and one touchdown. Despite the fact they did not provide great totals to the Bears’ rushers, they were not able to significantly stop anyone.

DET Pass Defense

The Lions’ pass defense was not able to stop the Bears when it mattered. They were part of an overall defensive scheme which always seemed to bend just enough to allow Chicago to leave with a win. This season they have been unfortunate to have to keep going back on the field too quickly as the offense has too often lost the ball.