Week 11: Bears at Lions — Lineups, How to Watch, Odds, More

Justin Fields is back in the saddle for the Chicago Bears. But for all the discussion about how Fields should be on notice and that he should use the final seven games of the 2023 season to prove himself worthy of being the Bears’ QB1 for the future, we shouldn’t leave out how this is an important stretch for his coaches.

For me, this is make-or-break time for Head Coach Matt Eberflus and Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy. And that is how it should be, right? If this is the time for a proper evaluation of Fields, then it should be the same for Eberflus and Getsy. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

In reporting on the Bears’ quarterback situation, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport noted that a more talented roster in 2023 (compared to the collection of talent Chicago was trotting out weekly in 2022) should provide a “fairer evaluation” of Fields. If that is to be taken at face value, then it should be applicable for Eberflus and Getsy. The two most important coaches at Halas Hall should be seen as being challenged in the same way that Fields is being put to the test down the stretch. Everyone should be under the microscope — not just Fields. If that isn’t how the Bears are operating down the stretch, then what are we even doing?

If General Manager Ryan Poles believes that the roster he put together is better than what it has shown to this point, then it will be Eberflus, Getsy, and Fields whose futures will be decided by the last seven games. Boiling it down to just Fields would be oversimplifying the matter. Heck, maybe Poles should be under closer inspection because he was the guy who hired Eberflus (who hired Getsy) and kept Fields (instead of drafting CJ Stroud or Bryce Young).

I have no problem challenging Justin Fields for these final seven games. In fact, I look forward to seeing how it plays out. But I don’t love that the coaching staff seems to be escaping accountability. Today offers up an opportunity for a clean page. Let’s see how the authors finish writing the story of the 2023 Bears.

How to Watch Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions

FOX-TV (Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink)

ESPN 1000 AM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer)
Sports USA Radio (Josh Appel, Brandon Noble)

Streaming: FuboTV, Sling TV

Chicago Bears (3-7) vs Detroit Lions (7-2)

Kickoff Time: Noon CT
Site: Ford Field; Detroit
Referee: Scott Novak
Odds: Bears +7.5, O/U 47.5 (via BetMGM)

GAME PREVIEW: Bears vs Lions — November 19, 2023

Bears Projected Starters

Offense

QB Justin Fields (He’s back! … and under the microscope!)

RB Khalil Herbert

FB Khari Blasingame

WR D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney

TE Cole Kmet

LT Braxton Jones, LG Teven Jenkins, C Lucas Patrick, RG Nate Davis, RT Darnell Wright

Defense

DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Andrew Billings, DT DeMarcus Walker, DE Montez Sweat

WLB T.J. Edwards, MLB Tremaine Edmunds

CB Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon

FS Eddie Jackson, SS Jaquan Brisker

Specialists

Kicking game: Cairo Santos (kicker), Trenton Gill (punter, holder), Patrick Scales (long snapper)

Return game: Trent Taylor (punt returns), Tyler Scott (kick returns)

Inactive players

WR Velus Jones Jr.

OL Ja’Tyre Carter

QB Nathan Peterman

S Quindell Johnson

LB Micah Baskerville

DE Dominique Robinson

LB Noah Sewell

Lions Projected Starters

Offense

QB Jared Goff

RB David Montgomery 

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams

TE Sam LaPorta

LT Taylor Decker, LG Kayode Awosika, C Frank Ragnow, RG Graham Glasgow, RT Penei Sewell

Defense

DE Aidan Hutchinson, DTs Alim McNeill and Benito Jones, DE John Cominsky

WLB Jack Campbell, MLB Alex Anzalone, SLB Derrick Barnes

CB Cameron Sutton, Jerry Jacobs

FS Kerby Joseph, SS Tracy Walker III

Specialists

Kicking game: Riley Patterson (kicker), Jack Fox (punter, holder), Jake McQuaide (long snapper)

Return game: Craig Reynolds (kick returns), Kalif Raymond (punt returns)

Inactive players

DL Isaiah Buggs

CB Steven Gilmore

WR Antoine Green

G Jonah Jackson

DL Brodric Martin

LB Trevor Nowaske

DL Levi Onwuzurike