Chicago Bears

NostraButkus: 5 Bold Predictions for Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions

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

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The Chicago Bears welcome in the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Here are 5 bold predictions for the game.

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) scores a touchdown against Chicago Bears free safety Adrian Amos (38) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

NostraButkus heard the pessimists after week two. Some doubted his true power. Others called him a flat out fraud. NostraButkus doesn’t listen to those who speak lowly of him. They are afraid- afraid of the awesome power they see presented before them.

It’s not too often you come across a seer, especially one with the awesome power that NostraButkus possesses. Admittedly, the disturbances in the spirit world blurred his predictions for week two, but he saw everything clearly before week three and the results were terrifyingly accurate.

NostraButkus saw the Cowboys victory and predicted the total points and point differential almost exactly. He had the Bears score accurate to a point. He foresaw 100+ yards from Ezekiel Elliott and knew Dak Prescott would throw his first career TD. He saw that Alshon Jeffery would have his worst game of the season. He saw it all.

It’s the Bears and the Detroit Lions this Sunday in Chicago. NostraButkus has returned with 5 more predictions.

5. The Bears will shut down DL Kerry Hyder

Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) defends against Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder (61) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Titans win 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

There weren’t many football fans that knew who Kerry Hyder was at the start of the football season but most fans know who he is now. Hyder has come out of nowhere to become a dominant force in the middle of the Lions’ defense. Hyder has tallied four sacks in just three games and is proving that he is no fluke.

Hyder has been lining up at multiple spots on the defensive line but mostly lines up at both defensive end positions. The Bears haven’t done well with good defensive ends but that’s what makes NostraButkus’ prediction so impressive. Hyder should have his way with Bobby Massie, but Massie will have surprisingly his best start of the season and Charles Leno will do a solid job on Hyder when it’s his man.

Hyder may get in the backfield on a couple occasions but his sack tally will be at zero when the game concludes.

4. Jordan Howard proves he’s the Bears best RB

Sep 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs the ball during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bears won 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Howard has shown flashes in his first two games of the season and with Jeremy Langford out, Howard will be given the ball and told to run downhill. He won’t disappoint.

Howard will prove that not only is he the best of the healthy Bears RB options, but he is better than both Langford and Ka’Deem Carey as well. Howard will have a career high in yards possibly even topping 100 while finding the end zone as well.

Howard will be the second rookie of this year’s Bears class to prove he’s an asset (Cody Whitehair was the first), and he will be getting the bulk of the carries for the rest of the season.

3. Matthew Stafford will have a big day at the office

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass to running back Theo Riddick (25) during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Dating back to last season, Stafford had a very strong finish to the year and has started off this season continuing his very good play. Things won’t change when Stafford is in Chicago.

The Bears defense will fail to put consistent pressure on Stafford and the result will be a big game from the former Pro Bowl quarterback. Stafford will use his weapons to his advantage and crack 300 yards passing for the game and throw for at least two TDs through the air.

The Bears defense is still banged up and it’s going to show again on Sunday. Stafford is in for a big day.

2. Nick Kwiatkoski records double digit tackles

May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

With Danny Trevathan injured, the Bears needed another linebacker to step up. Many thought Jon Anderson might be that Bear, but after his mediocre performance he’s found himself back on the practice squad.

It was a pleasant surprise to see rookie Nick Kwiatkoski have a few nice plays in limited snaps, including a play that has made the rounds on Twitter where he absolutely blew up La’el Collins.

Remember when Nick @nkwiatkoski27 knocked La'el Collins back eight yards? Great display of strength by the rookie. pic.twitter.com/Yzww8Sdpdr

— Da Bears Brothers (@DaBearsBros) September 27, 2016

Kwiatkoski’s strong play will earn him more snaps against Detroit and he won’t disappoint. He will tally 10 tackles (solos plus assists) and show that he appears to be another strong draft choice of Ryan Pace.

Kwiatkoski’s strong play should continue in Trevathan’s absence and prove that even when he returns Kwiatkoski should stay in the regular rotation.

1. The Lions keep the Bears winless

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox (left) shakes hands with Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell (right) at the end of their NFL game at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears are desperate for a win. Usually for desperate teams, a home game against the Lions is the solution.

Unfortunately for the Bears, the Lions are playing much better than them right now. Their losses have been competitive and they easily could have More wins than their 1-2 record shows.

Stafford will have his way with a banged up Bears defense and lead the Lions to more than enough points. The Bears offense will look better, but not that much better. The Lions will even up their record at 2-2 and the Bears will drop to 0-4 and be left searching for answers.

Final Score- Lions 30, Bears 19

Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.