Lions Analysis:  Lions 24 (5-0)     Bears 13 (2-3)

What Happened:

The start of the game was ugly on both sides.  The Bears were over matched and it showed and the Lions were over-amped.  However, in the second half the Lions offense settled down and its defense smothered the Bears.  This game was one of the best games I have seen from the Lions offensive line who only allowed one sack, and opened some holes in the run game.  Once again, Calvin Johnson looked amazing and the Defensive Line did whatever they wanted.  Cutler should be commended for the job he did.  I think the Chicago fans owe him some apologies about questioning his toughness because he is a gutsy performer.

Matchup outcomes:

1. 1.       Jeff Backus vs. Julius Peppers: Advantage Backus…wow.  Peppers had three tackles, one for a loss, and one quarterback hit.  You could not ask for more than that.  Backus played sound all game long and had tons of help from TE’s and the run game. 
2. 2.       Matt Forte vs. Lions back seven: Advantage: Lions back seven.  I told you Forte was going to get his.   He ran for over 100 yards rushing, but he was a non-factor in the passing game, did not get into the end zone, and did not take over the game.  Lions slowed him down enough. 
3. 3.       Calvin Johnson vs. Charles Tillman: Advantage: Calvin Johnson.  Last season he was held in check by Tillman but it just goes to show you how much better of a player Calvin Johnson is and how much better Stafford is than Shaun Hill.  Calvin had 5 receptions, 130 yards, and 1 TD.  His long touchdown in the first half was instrumental since our offense could not sustain drives at that time.

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Lions Recap from Week 5: All Hail Megatron - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

A spectacular running back like Jamaal Charles was at my third overall selection. Did I take him? (Courtesy of Arrowheadaddict.com)

The NFL Mocks crew (Including myself) had a fantasy football draft on Tuesday night. This fantasy football draft took place at NFL.com and let me tell you the draft ran very smoothly, no glitches or nothing. This league is a 12 team league that included one starting quarterback, two starting running backs, two starting wide receivers, one starting tight end, one starting wide receiver/running back, one starting running back/wide receiver/ tight end, one starting defense and one starting kicker. The bench can hold up to six players.

Usually fantasy football players get hyped about having a top three pick, but not me because I was never in this situation before. In past fantasy football drafts I was always selecting toward the end of the draft. Selecting toward the end of fantasy football drafts in past years made me really strategize a perfect way to build a team when pick at the end. So, being in the top three selection this year really took me out of my comfort zone as a fantasy football player. I was excited though because I knew regardless of who I would pick I would really be getting a top flight player. I don’t want to spoil the pick right here, so with out further ado here is my third overall pick along with all my other 15 picks as well.
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NFL Mocks Fantasy Football League: Reviewing My Fantasy Football Selections - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Could Plaxico Burress be back in a Giants uniform? (supermediablog.com)

As most of you may know by know, Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to weapon charges. After a long two years, Plaxico Burress will be getting out of prison on Monday. Now what does this mean for his football career once he gets out? Well he has already said to former head coach Bill Cowher that he would play again and that he is keeping in football shape while his tenure in prison. Will he draw interest from a team? I think he will for the reason of what happened to Michael Vick, where he was in prison a year for dog fighting then he turned out to be an even better Michael Vick last season. Being that, let’s take a look at five teams who may be interested in Plaxico Burress.

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5 possible destinations for Plaxico Burress once he gets out of prison - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will this be the kiss of death for Hillis in the upcoming 2011 Fantasy Football season?? (Picture source: hogdb.com)

Fantasy Football busts…..who will bust in 2011???

This is one of the most valuable pieces of information you can have in fantasy football to me. There is nothing, and I mean nothing worse than wasting a first or second round pick on a player that busts for the year. Take a look at Randy Moss last year, he was taken by almost everyone in the second round. Randy then went on to have his worst statistical season ever. Now, no one in their right mind could have seen that one coming, or at least not to that extent. I expected a drop off from Randy, but not for him to fall off the planet!

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2011 Fantasy Football Potential Busts - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Could Prince Amukamara join his former Nebraska teammate Ndamukong Suh on the Lions? Thehasbeenssports.com

If you’re a Lions fan you should be happy with the production that the Lions had last season. 6-10 may not look good on paper, but the heart that they showed each and every single game can not be shown on paper. This years draft is very important because with another solid draft the Lions could be on the brink of making the playoffs this year.

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Detroit Lions 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Next stop playoffs? - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

The Chicago Bears’ season ended with a lot of heartbreak and embarrassment when Jay Cutler left the NFC Championship game with what sounded like a manageable injury. That’s another story for another day, but the Bears’ needs were exposed throughout the season, and quite honestly, they have had these needs for a couple of years now.

Chicago always seems to have a dominant defense, and this past year was no different. The X factors, so to speak, are Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, but the addition of Julius Peppers at defensive end really solidified this defense as one of the best in the NFL. The Bears are not done building on that side of the ball, but the majority of their needs are coming from the offensive side. Let’s examine their needs going into the 2011 NFL Draft.

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2011 NFL Draft Team Needs: Chicago Bears - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Chicago Bears

The Bears got to sit this week and watch their potential opponents for their upcoming playoff game. While their playoff opponent (Seattle) wasn’t determined til the last game this past Sunday, their off-season needs have been well known. The Bears have been getting older at key parts of both offensive and defensive lines and with their first 1st round pick in a couple of years they have a chance to address those concerns. For as much flax as the offensive line has gotten this season, a lot of credit goes out to the players and Coaches Martz and Tice for finding a way to make it work. That said, a talent upgrade is needed at left tackle and two of the three interior line positions have starters that are at least 32 years old and battling injuries in the past year. On the defensive line, Tommie Harris is on his last legs and a playmaker on the inside of the D-Line to pair with Peppers and Idonije would go far in upgrading the “Monsters of the Midway”. The question is, which side of the line to the try and upgrade first?

Round 1: Drake Nevis, DT LSU

Round 2: Chris Hairston, OT, Clemson

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