Report card reflects Bears defensive gem vs. Detroit

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The defense allowed the Lions 91 total yards and zero points in the first half, of some significance given Detroits average of 25.2 points and nearly 420 yards per game. Detroit finished with 340 yards total but much of it was late and with the Bears playing to protect a 13-0 lead until the final minute.

Detroits game plan was curious: 52 pass plays, 15 run plays, despite running backs averaging more than five yards per carry. And the Bears were effectively neutralizing the Lions biggest offensive weapon.

DEFENSIVE LINE A-

Julius Peppers overran left tackle Jeff Backus for a first-quarter sack and came out of a second-quarter scrum with a fumble recovery to end a Lions scoring threat. Detroit tried to establish the run with Mikel Leshoure but the front left few gaps for yardage. Shea McClellin and Stephen Paea shared a second-quarter sack.

Henry Meltons forced fumble by Joique Bell at the Chicago one turned back a third-quarter Lions scoring threat. Israel Idonijes sack of Matthew Stafford in the final minute was a 19-yard loss. The line finished with six additional hits on Stafford.

LINEBACKERS A

Lance Briggs ended a Detroit second-quarter drive with a pass deflection and topped that on a crucial subsequent possession inside the Chicago 25 with a forced fumble. Brian Urlacher grabbed a Detroit fumble inside the Chicago 1 and was active in coverage with two pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Briggs had eight tackles and Urlacher seven, six of them solo. Nick Roach saw little action with the Bears playing predominantly nickel for the game.

SECONDARY A

Charles Tillman spent much of his evening shadowing Calvin Johnson and shut the Lions linchpin in the first half when Detroit netted 43 passing yards. Johnson was targeted three times with no catches in the half. He finished with just three receptions on the 11 passes thrown to him, and no touchdowns. Tillman broke up a throw to Johnson in the end zone and the Bears recovered a Detroit fumble a play later.

D.J. Moore ended a scoring threat with his second interception of the season while sharing nickel duty with Kelvin Hayden. Tim Jennings led the Bears with nine tackles.

Chris Conte and Major Wright delivered effective blitzes without getting a sack but pressuring Stafford. Each had a near interception and Conte was credited with six solo tackles.

COACHING A

The defense used occasional blitzes for pressure on Stafford and personnel shuffling confused the Detroit offense, including Johnson. The defensive line rotation was using a different foursome almost every play at times and the scheme forced the Lions to become impatient, leading to three red-zone turnovers.

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