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Lions must be prepared for trap game against Bears
Chicago Bears

Lions must be prepared for trap game against Bears

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

At 1-2, the Lions face a situation fans have grown all too familiar with. For the second year in a row, the team risks being irrelevant by week four.

Despite the Lions’ ineptitude thus far this season, most fans are expecting a win over the Bears. Yet, most were surprised when the team blew a winnable game to the Tennessee Titans in week two. The Packers made Detroit look like the 0-16  team from 2008, in the first half of last week’s loss. The Colts would’ve stolen the game in week one, if not for some clutch play down the stretch from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

On the road, against a hungry Bears team that most experts predicted to finish above the Lions, is the classic trap game. The Bears will likely have backup quarterback Brian Hoyer out there, which only furthers the expectations that the Lions will win. The Bears lost their starting running back, Jeremy Langford, but smartly brought in Joique Bell, the former Lion fan favorite. Older fans are already getting flashes of former Lions RB, Artose Pinner, rushing for 125 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Vikings to an upset win over Detroit in 2006.

It’s hard not to expect a similar performance from Bell. We all know former Lions with previously underwhelming careers in Detroit save their best performances for their former team. Who can forget Joey Harrington coming back to throw three touchdowns on thanksgiving – a venue fans grew accustomed to seeing him wet the bed – for the Dolphins? I was there and I sure as hell didn’t forget. I remember fans screaming “Joey! Joey!” in a sort of self-deprecating chant and seeing Dolphins players give Joey a Gatorade bath, adding insult to injury.

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Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scrambles during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t get me wrong, I believe Detroit is a much better team than the Bears and I fully expect them to win. With that said, the importance of taking care of this game cannot be understated. The season isn’t completely over if the Lions fail to 1-3. Mathematically, they will still be alive, sure. However, the difference between 1-3 and 2-2 is one this franchise has proven incapable of overcoming. Last year, after starting 1-7 the team nearly finished with a wildcard spot, if not for the Rodgers Hail-Mary. But people were essentially impressed by a 7-9 season.

With a favorable schedule coming up, the Lions could quickly get back into the playoff picture if they can take care of business this weekend. If not, I don’t think I have to explain the danger this season is in, you’ve likely lived it many times before.

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