The Lions blamed the wind.  The announcers for the game never mentioned the wind as being a problem.  Jay Cutler didn't seem to have that many issues with the wind.

Cutler didn't throw four interceptions.  Stafford did.

Stafford has a broken index finger on his throwing hand...Cutler doesn't. Stafford was wearing a glove for the first time to somehow protect that finger...

As a fan, I think "the wind excuse" in Chicago is only used by morons (I'm looking at you Marty Mornhinweg.)

If Stafford can't throw in the wind...he'd have never made it out of high school.  It is my personal opinion that the finger bugged him a lot...so much so, that he didn't really WANT to take off the glove.

I do understand why the organization would be so insistent on blaming the wind...instead of just putting a big target on the franchise's biggest asset.

Here are some other things that really, REALLY bugged me about this game.

1. How is Calvin Johnson's first fumble not voided by Julius Peppers' blatant clothesline and head tackle?  If Suh does that to anybody you know there'll be yellow flying.  Heck, if Suh eats too much garlic and breathes next to a QB's head he gets called for something.  This set the tone for the entire chippy fiasco that this game was.

2. Why is Stafford still playing in the fourth quarter after throwing FOUR interceptions?  Put Shaun Hill in.  You're not going to win this game and if Stafford really is injured, why keep him in there to get pummeled and possibly injured worse?

3. Stafford should have been thrown out too.  That was a punk move pulling DJ Moore down by his head.  I lost a little respect for him as I repeatedly watched that replay.

4. Stafford has an awesome report with Megatron...but, dude, you have a ton of other weapons and the ball was routinely forced into Johnson when multiple other options were WIDE OPEN.  I understand forcing it in to Calvin...throw it up high where only he can get it...this is a strategy that should work...but it's even easier to complete passes to players that aren't covered at all...like Titus Young in the endzone.  This is an issue that is typical of rookie quarterbacks...which I guess, since Stafford just managed to finish only his sixteenth career game...maybe we should still consider him a rookie.

5. If the wind really was that atrocious...the Lions needed to force the run.  Morris and Kevin Smith (yeah, he's back...how weird is that?) managed some decent runs.  At 20-6, the Lions were definitely still in the game...pick six, pick six...34-6...not so much. 

6. Never kick it to Devin Hester.  Ever.

7. Peppers might just be in Stafford's head. 

8. Burleson needs to be targeted more often.  He runs with a lot of determination...but he needs to hold on to the damn ball.

9. Suh needs to quit pushing people down after the whistle.  Fairly shouldn't have been called for anything when he followed through with the play and landed on Cutler...but the refs are looking at anything and everything the Lions do...and their itching to keep adding to the "Bad Boys" image.

10. Schwartz needs to start reigning the guys in now.  This overly aggressive play, while fun to watch and easy to cheer for, is getting the team in trouble...and he also has to start muzzling the players that won't keep their mouths shut--talking trash when you're down by 30 points is a sure sign of a loser.

11. I've already talked about my fan superstitions in regards to the last time the Lions were 6-2 and finished 7-9...the Lions haven't given me any reasons to change my mind.  I'm thinking 8-8 and out of the playoffs.  Please guys, prove me wrong.

When the Lions went into the bye, they had a punter and kicker.  As they put the final touches on their gameplan for the most important game of the season so far...they might not have either anymore.

Apparently, Jason Hanson tweaked his knee and didn't look like he'd be able to play...the Lions figured, "Hey, that's ok, we can survive one week with Ryan Donahue kicking..."  And apparently, while practicing his place kicking...Donahue got hurt.

The Lions have since signed a backup punter...so Hanson will probably have to go...

This is Lions luck in full swing.

On the plus side, Chicago Bears DE Julius Peppers, who has already knocked Matthew Stafford out for multiple games once before, is still nursing a sore knee and is questionable for this Sunday's game.

In the first game, with an ailing Peppers, the Lions won 24-13...and truly, it didn't feel that close at the end.  The Lions will be missing Jahvid Best this time though...

This game will have a lot of the same players, but could be potentially without some important pieces on both sides.  The Bears may be missing Peppers and their starting RT Gabe Carimi.  The Lions will be without Jahvid Best...

This is by far the biggest game of the year so far.  The Lions finished the first half 6-2...losing two of their final three games.  I've already lamented the last time the Lions were 6-2...this game may not be "MUST WIN," but I think it's pretty close.  If the Lions can manage a win this Sunday, they'll be 7-2 with a season sweep of the Bears who'd be 5-4...in all reality that's a three game lead in the race for a wild card playoff berth.  A loss puts both teams at 6-3...and the schedule going forward for the Lions is tougher as the season closes.

Chicago Defense vs Detroit Offense

In my mind this all depends on if or how well Julius Peppers plays.  Jeff Backus has routinely had big problems with Peppers and Stafford tends to break to pieces when drilled into the ground by him...

Beyond that, Charles Tillman, the Bears best CB is no match for Megatron.  Calvin Johnson should own anybody in the Bears secondary and if the Lions can continue to get production out of Titus Young, Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler and Nate Burleson...and they can average even 3 yards a rush with Morris, Williams and the return of Kevin Smith...then this is a big win for the Lions.

As long as they can keep Peppers off of Stafford's shoulders.

Advantage: Lions

Chicago Offense vs Detroit Defense

Now most people are going to say that this is the Detroit D vs Matt Forte show...and there's a lot of validity to that.  If the Lions can't stop Forte...I'm pretty sure that Mike Martz will still be prone to passing the ball.  Martz has historically had real trouble running a balanced attack...he almost always errs toward throwing the ball again and again and again.

Now granted in the Bears recent resurgence Forte has become an incredible weapon, if the Lions can stop him early, most likely Martz will go back to his firing ways...which would lead Cutler directly in the sights of the Detroit defensive line.  The Lions pressured Cutler constantly in that last game, sacking him three times.

But until Martz gives up on the run...I'm still scared of Forte.

Advantage: Even

80% of the predictions I've read so far on this game have the Bears winning a close one.  I think this game hangs on two things...does Peppers play--and how well--and can the Lions stop Forte.  I think the Lions can handle both...so, as much as I hate doing it,  I'm going to throw the jinx on the Leos this week. 

Prediction

Lions 21 Bears 20

Now, I know it was the Madden player in me, but I was a little disappointed that the Lions didn't try to get Calvin Johnson another TD catch at the end of the game--making it 5 weeks in a row with two TD catches--instead, holding a 21-13 lead with 2 minutes remaining, they kicked a field goal...Wouldn't 28-13 have been just as clinching as 24-13?

But that's nitpicking. 

In fact, I'm beginning to think that playing in the first half for the Lions is "nitpicking,"  because who cares about the first half, when you can turn it on and blow everybody out in the second half?  The Lions are 5-0!  For the first time since 1956!  Of course, as you all know in 1956, the Lions started 5-0, but finished 9-3 and missed the playoffs....it was 1957 when the Lions won their last championship.

For the third week in a row, the Lions have gone into the half down...but have come out of the half on fire each week too.  This is a legitimate playoff contender that can send wave after wave of above average to downright dominating defensive lineman at every offense.  This D-line is NINE players deep.  Jay Cutler was running all night long.

In fact, I really gained a lot of respect for Cutler and his improvisation skills, because he got a lot done on every play and I'm willing to bet that 98% of all his plays were broken plays.

The big knock against the Lions this season, other than the fact that they don't wake up until the second half, has been a lack of a running game.  On Monday night, Jahvid Best came to play.  163 rushing yards.  His first career 100 yard game.  OK...sure most of that came on an 88 yard run up the gut and most of the rest came on a 43 yard run off tackle...take out those 131 yards and he rushed 9 times for 32 yards....not too impressive...but, in the end...he averaged over 10 yards a run.

And as close as the final score was...it really wasn't that close.  This is coming from a fan who has watched a lifetime of "moral victories" and "one score losses."  The Lions dominated this game....really the whole game...even though they were down 10-7 at the half...there was never a point where you didn't think that the Lions weren't really in complete control.

And this was against last years division champion!

The Lions have a really good team...they're proving it every week with WINS...not moral victories...not close losses...get ready for a long fun ride...

Next week the 49'ers come to Ford Field, a place that vibrated people last night, to face the Leos...the Lions have a bad, bad history against the Niners over the last 20 years...but this is a year from breaking trends and smashing streaks...Even if the 9'ers are 4-1...I still like the chances of a 5-0 Detroit Lions team at home...

Crap....they've tricked me again...I've drunk the koolaid...I'm on the bandwagon....again....thanks for taking me back.

It has been years since the Detroit Lions were featured on a Monday night game...the last time it was against the St. Louis Rams...and they lost by something on the order of 950-3...I can't remember the exact score, I just remember that it was incredibly embarrassing and the Rams only stopped scoring because they felt sorry for the worn out score keeper.

The time before that the Lions faced off against the 49'ers in a game that was pretty much the same...

Now, this year, it's supposed to be different.  It should be different.  Those teams were put together by Matt Millen and he proved himself to be the worst general manager in the history of professional sports.  He was a complete and utter moron--which is why the NFL Network hired him to do shows for them...he's funny, but stupid...and that's entertaining.

But back to the game...

The Lions will be hosting the long time rival Chicago Bears.  This is a team that's offense is run by Mike Martz and it's defense is run by Rod Marinelli...the coaches that engineered 0-16.  The only stooge they're missing is Moe.  How they managed to make the NFC Championship last year is a complete mystery to me. 

On Monday night Ford Field will be vibrating.  It will be the biggest, rowdiest Lions game since 1991.  Detroit is a football town and it's fan base has been starved for good Lions football for so long that there may be a fan drooling problem after the first whistle blows.

Chicago Offense vs Detroit Defense

This is not the most important issue that will effect the outcome on Monday night.  The Lions do have a clear advantage because the Bears (ie Martz) does not like to run the ball, even though they have no receivers and their offensive line is...a work in progress...

If the Bears concentrate on getting the ball to Matt Forte and are successful in keeping Cutler alive...it might be a competitive game...if they don't....it will not even be competitive.

It is up to the Kong and KVB and the linebackers to properly fill their gaps to stop Forte on rushes and screens.  If he's stopped, Chicago will go no where.

Advantage: Detroit

Chicago Defense vs Detroit Offense

This is the big deal.  This is where the money will be made.  This is what it's all about.  Can the Lions take advantage of the Bears 29th ranked defense against the pass...and can they stop Julius Peppers from picking his teeth with the remains of Matthew Stafford...again.

This game is all about "Can Jeff Backus stop Julius Peppers?"  I don't care if the Lions quadruple team the guy...he has to be stopped.  If they can keep him contained and Stafford healthy the whole game...I don't see this as much of a competition.

In a way, this might count as a revenge game for Stafford...

Stafford + Johnson vs 29th ranked pass defense...I think my choice is pretty clear.

Advantage: Detroit

Prediction

It's hard for me to keep consistently picking the Lions to win.  It's against my nature.  It's against everything I've learned in my lifetime.  It is a recipe for disaster and complete let down...but if I look at all the facts....once again, the Lions should be victorious...and not just victorious but BIG WINNERS.

Hey NFL...the Lions will be 5-0 for the first time since 1956....Everybody likes to taut the percentage of 3-0 teams that make the playoffs...could somebody please post the numbers for 5-0?

Detroit 31 Chicago 14