Detroit Lions Offense Suffers Two Major Blows Ahead Of Bears Game

The Chicago Bears are hoping to get their 2020 season off to a good start. Head coach Matt Nagy has never won an opening day game, losing the 2018 and 2019 openers to the Green Bay Packers. This time it will be a divisional game against the Detroit Lions. Will the third try be the charm? Based on recent reports from up north, the odds just swung a little further in their favor.

The Lions have had problems with injuries throughout training camp this year. Several prominent names have dealt with nagging issues. Yet it’s two in particular that couldn’t have had worse timing. Reports out of Detroit are that Pro Bowl wide receiver Kenny Golladay is dealing with a hamstring issue and was declared doubtful for Sunday. Joining him is newly-acquired right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai who is out with a foot issue.

These are two tough blows for the Lions who will have to tangle with a strong Bears defense.

“The Detroit Lions will be without their biggest free agent acquisition for Sunday’s season opener against the Chicago Bears, and likely without their best wide receiver, too.

The Lions ruled right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai out for Sunday because of a foot injury, and listed wide receiver Kenny Golladay as doubtful on their official injury report.”

Detroit Lions lost one of their biggest advantages

Losing Vaitai hurts in a big way. Now the Lions will have to thrust backup Tyrell Crosby in against Khalil Mack. All while the man next to him, Jonah Jackson, is a rookie. He’ll have the assignment of blocking Akiem Hicks. That is a lot to demand of two relatively inexperienced players. Considering how vital Matthew Stafford is to their winning formula, this isn’t ideal.

Yet the far bigger blow is Golladay. He’s arguably one of the most underrated receivers in the entire NFL. He had over 1,100 yards in 2019 with 11 touchdowns, torching the Bears for 158 alone on Thanksgiving. The Northern Illinois alum always seemed to give them problems. Without him, Detroit will have to hope former Bear Marvin Hall can step up in his place.

 One should expect the Lions will try to employ a run-first approach with lots of quick passes to keep the Bears pass rush at bay. Still, their ability to attack is severely diminished.