HOW IT WORKS:
Pro Football Focus, which nearly a third of the NFL subscribes to, has a complex review process, looking at every player on every offensive, defensive and special-teams play.
The Detroit Lions are a significant roadblock on the Bears’ path to a .500 record. Here’s how they measure up through the analytical lens of Pro Football Focus.
DON’T GET SUH’ED
Finding success against a stout Lions defense starts with finding success against defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The 6-4, 305-pound brute with a nasty streak is having another dominant season in the trenches. According to PFF’s reviews, he ranks among the league’s most disruptive defensive players.
** PFF defines stops as plays that results in failure for the offense.
MEGA-WHAT?
As odd as it sounds, the Lions’ best receiving threat hasn’t been Calvin Johnson this season. “Megatron” has dealt with ankle injuries since Week 3. In Johnson’s place, Golden Tate has emerged as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s best option.
** Passer rating when throwing to receiver.
LIONS QUICK HITS
>> Neither Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford nor Bears quarterback Jay Cutler are excelling in PFF’ deep passing breakdowns, which charts passes over 20 yards. Cutler has completed 35.7 percent of his passes over 20 yards, while Stafford is at 39.1 percent. Stafford has thrown five interceptions on passes over 20 yards this season. Cutler has two.
>> Second-year defensive end Ziggy Ansah is the Lions’ best edge rusher. On 287 pass-rush snaps this season, Ansah has recorded eight sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 19 hurries for 38 total pressures.
–Adam L. Jahns
