Week 2 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 7, Chicago Bears 34

What you need to know

Detroit Lions

There were a few bright spots for the Lions in Chicago on Sunday versus the Bears. However, there were many other lowlights to offset the highlights. The Lions were penalized 14 times for 104 yards and turned the ball over three times including fumbles on each of their first two possessions leading to ten early points for the Bears.

Jon Kitna was accurate on the day and with the exception of his fumble on the team’s first possession avoided costly turnovers. Kitna finished 23 of 30 for 230 yards and scored the team’s first touchdown of the season, and first points versus the Bears in 2006, with a one yard dive on the opening drive of the second half. He was sacked six times.

Kevin Jones, as was the case for many for the Lions, had some positive moments overshadowed by costly mistakes. Jones ran hard against the tough Bears’ defense and caught six passes but lost two fumbles on the afternoon. He finished with 44 hard fought yards on 12 carries and his six catches led to another 38 yards for the back. Jones had a seventh catch called back on one of the team’s 14 penalties.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears look as though this may be the season they put the offense together with their perennially strong defense. Rex Grossman was incredibly accurate on the afternoon as well as fortunate. His lone errant pass looked to be picked off and return for a touchdown only to have a penalty against the Lions bring it back and allow him to redeem himself with his fourth touchdown drive of the afternoon. Grossman finished the day 20 of 27 for 289 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bears’ running game was limited by the Lions’ front four as the combination of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson were held to 64 and 25 yards respectively on 31 carries. The wide receivers however enjoyed the afternoon. Particularly Bernard Berrian who looks to be the complement to Muhsin Muhammad the team has been looking for. Berrian had five catches for 89 yards including an outstanding, diving touchdown catch. Rashied Davis contributed to the receiving game, making a 31 yard reception in the third quarter during a Bears’ touchdown scoring drive. Tight end John Gilmore made the most of his two catches, as both receptions were good for touchdowns.

The Bears’ defense put a good amount of pressure on Jon Kitna, sacking the Lions’ quarterback six times and forcing three Lions’ fumbles. They allowed their first points of the season early in the second half when the Lions were able to make their way down the field with Kitna punching it across on a one yard dive.

What you ought to know

QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 23 - 30 - 230 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 1 - 1

Kitna was extremely accurate on the afternoon finishing 23 of 30 for 230 yards against a tough Bears’ defense. Kitna score the team’s lone touchdown on a one yard plunge in the third quarter. His fumble on the team’s first possession was his only turnover on the day but proved to be a costly one. He was sacked six times.

RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 12 - 44 - 0, Rec: 6 - 38 - 0 (8 targets)

Unlike last season, Kevin Jones seems to be getting the chance to be the team’s primary back. He had a couple of strong runs including a nice 29 yard jaunt early in the first quarter and fought for 44 yards on 12 carries. His inclusion in the team’s passing game was the most significant change since last season as he caught six of the eight balls thrown his way for 38 yards. He had another 29 yard reception called back on a Lions’ penalty. Jones did lose two fumbles.

RB Shawn Bryson, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Bryson played sparingly, spelling Kevin Jones and caught one pass for four yard and made one rushing attempt for only one yard.

WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 6 - 67 - 0 (7 targets)

The former safety from the Rams made six catches for 67 yards and figured prominently in the Lions’ passing game. His toughness over the middle gives the Lions a solid possession type option.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 6 - 71 - 0 (8 targets)

Williams led the Lions in receiving with six catches for 71 yards. He tends to short arm some catches in traffic and with the Lions’ offensive line struggling versus the Bears’ front seven; he was unable to get behind the defense for any long gains. His longest gain of the afternoon went for 23 yards.

WR Eddie Drummond, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Drummond saw his only targets in the game in the fourth quarter. He made one reception for eight yards.

WR Corey Bradford (1 targets)

Bradford drew a defensive pass penalty against Charles Tillman on his lone target of the game, that gained 42 yards for the Lions. But Jason Hanson missed the subsequent field goal attempt.

TE Marcus Pollard, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (2 targets)

Pollard caught both passes thrown in his direction for 19 yards.

TE Dan Campbell, Rec: 1 - 23 - 0 (1 targets)

Campbell made a 23 yard reception during the opening drive of the third quarter that took the ball to the Chicago one yard line and set up Jon Kitna’s rushing touchdown.

PK Jason Hanson 0 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points

Hanson made an extra point attempt but missed on his only field goal try from 40 yards out.

DET Rush Defense

The Lions’ rush defense held the Bears to 2.6 yards per carry. And held the Bears to a rushing total of 89 yards. Rookie linebacker Ernie Sims led the team with seven tackles.

DET Pass Defense

The Detroit pass defense struggled to get off the field on third down allowing the Bears to convert six of their twelve third down opportunities. Boss Bailey made an outstanding interception on Grossman in the third quarter and returned the pick 28 yards for a touchdown only to have the touchdown called back on one of the team’s 14 penalties.

QB Rex Grossman, Pass: 20 - 27 - 289 - 4 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Grossman had a career afternoon and silenced many of the critics calling for Brian Griese as he tossed four touchdown passes on the day. He was an accurate 20 of 27 for 289 yards and no interceptions. He did throw an interception that looked to be returned for a touchdown but was fortunate to have that nullified by a Lions’ penalty. He made the most of his good fortune by resuming the drive culminating in his fourth touchdown of the day.

QB Brian Griese, Pass: 1 - 1 - 5 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Griese came in for Grossman at the end of the fourth quarter, with the game well in hand for the Bears. He completed his one passing attempt to wide receiver Mark Bradley for five yards.

RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 21 - 64 - 0, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (2 targets)

Jones had a couple of nice bursts Sunday including a nice 15 yard jaunt but finished with a quiet 64 yards on 21 carries. Jones did not figure much in the team’s passing game as he was targeted only twice and caught one pass for two yards. It was the Bears’ passing game that led the offense in this contest.

RB Cedric Benson, Rush: 10 - 25 - 0

Benson spelled Thomas Jones in the second quarter and picked up yards garbage time in the fourth quarter, finishing with 25 yards on ten carries.

RB Jason McKie, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (2 targets)

McKie was targeted twice in the first quarter, and caught both balls for a total of 15 yards.

WR Bernard Berrian, Rec: 5 - 89 - 1 (7 targets)

Berrian appears to be the receiver the team has been looking for over the past two years to complement veteran Muhsin Muhammad. He led the team with 89 yards on five catches including a couple of circus catches in traffic and a beautiful diving touchdown grab where while fully extended he caught the back end of the football and maintained possession through the landing.

WR Muhsin Muhammad, Rec: 4 - 59 - 0 (8 targets)

Muhammad remains the Bears’ primary target especially on third down plays. He is unafraid to extend himself in areas where he is going to get hit. He had four catches on the day for 59 yards.

WR Mark Bradley, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (3 targets)

Bradley’s lone reception was a pass thrown by Brian Griese at the end of the fourth quarter. He was targeted twice by Rex Grossman in the fourth quarter as well.

WR Rashied Davis (1 targets)

Davis contributed to the receiving game, making a 31 yard reception in the third quarter during a Bears’ touchdown scoring drive.

TE Desmond Clark, Rec: 5 - 85 - 1 (5 targets)

Clark caught four of the five balls thrown his way for 85 yards including a leaping, twisting grab for a touchdown.

TE John Gilmore, Rec: 2 - 8 - 2 (2 targets)

Gilmore made the most of his two opportunities turning his eight yards on two receptions into two touchdowns.

PK Robbie Gould 2 - 2 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 10 points

Gould has an incredibly strong leg as three of his kickoffs forced the dangerous Eddie Drummond to take a knee in his end zone for a touchback. Gould finished the day two of two on field goals including a 45 yard kick and was perfect on his four extra point attempts.

CHI Rush Defense

The Bears’ rush defense held the Lions to 48 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Brian Urlacher led the Bears with seven tackles. Chicago forced three Lions’ fumbles, two early in the contest, leading to an early 10 – 0 advantage.

CHI Pass Defense

The Bears’ pass defense allowed Kitna to complete 23 of 30 passes for 230 yards; but was able to sack the Lions’ quarterback six times including two for Tommie Harris and one and a half for Adewale Ogunleye.