CHICAGO — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell began rattling off names when requested about Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.

It was a formidable checklist: Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Jalen Hurts.

Campbell sees just a little bit of every of them in Fields, and he’ll get an up-close look when the Lions go to the Bears on Sunday.

“Quarterback pushed runs, guard-tackle pulls, learn the top, hand it off, these backs are working onerous, they’re downhill,” he stated. “After which, there’s sufficient of the keepers off of it. There’s sufficient misdirection to the receivers. After which, definitely his skill on third down, that is the place they actually obtained Miami was man, there’s plenty of third-and-8, third-and-10 … there’s a gap in there and he takes it and he is gone.”

The Bears (3-6) are available with 5 losses prior to now six video games. However the massive story is Fields’ enchancment.

He is making a case he simply may be the one to nail down a place that has traditionally been a weak spot for one of many NFL’s founding franchises. He had already strung collectively a number of encouraging performances in a row – after which got here the sport in opposition to Miami final week.

Although the Bears misplaced 35-32, Fields placed on a present, working for 178 yards. It was the best dashing complete for an NFL quarterback in a regular-season sport since at the very least 1940. However there was extra. Fields additionally grew to become the primary participant since at the very least 1950 with at the very least 150 yards dashing and three landing passes in a sport.

Prior to now 5 weeks, he has thrown for 851 yards, finishing 76 of 120 passes, with eight TDs and two interceptions. He additionally has run for 455 yards and three TDs in that point.

Fields leads the Bears in dashing with 602 yards and is averaging 6.6 per try. Solely Jackson is working for extra yards per carry.

“The expertise has actually led him to take the following step,” coach Matt Eberflus stated. “But additionally, as I believe we’re studying him and he is studying the offense, it is type of each. So we’re tailoring it to him extra, however he is additionally studying the scheme on the identical time.”

The Lions (2-6), in the meantime, had misplaced 5 in a row earlier than beating Inexperienced Bay 15-9 final week. They intercepted Aaron Rodgers thrice and held on when he threw an incompletion on fourth down on the Detroit 17 within the last minute.

Even so, the Lions are in a well-recognized spot. They’re final within the NFC North and heading in the right direction to complete with a dropping report for the 18th time in 22 seasons.

DETROIT DROUGHT

The Lions have not strung collectively back-to-back wins since October 2020, once they beat each Jacksonville and Atlanta on the highway underneath former coach Matt Patricia.

“A variety of life is about momentum and momentum is an enormous deal in sports activities,” receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown stated. “If we win this one, it should give us momentum and constructive vitality shifting ahead.”

GETTING SITUATED

Bears receiver Chase Claypool is able to begin exhibiting extra of what he can do now that he has had every week to regulate to his new environment.

Chicago acquired him from Pittsburgh earlier than final week’s commerce deadline, giving Fields a downfield menace and possibly giving the offense extra steadiness. The Bears lead the NFL in dashing and rank final in passing.

“We’re determining what routes are good, what ideas are good,” he stated. “What run performs are good, stuff like that, by way of the blocking scheme to get increasingly comfy and see what’s good.”

Claypool caught two passes for 13 yards in opposition to Miami, giving him 324 in 9 video games. He had 860 yards final season and 873 as a rookie with the Steelers in 2020.

Claypool stated receiver Darnell Mooney was “tremendous useful” by inviting him to his home to check the playbook. Fields, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and tight finish Cole Kmet have additionally helped.

BROTHERLY LOVE

Amon-Ra St. Brown stated trash speaking began early within the week along with his older brother, Equanimeous, a Chicago receiver.

“He stated he was going to beat us and he gave me a rating prediction,” he stated. “I instructed him we will beat them.”

Their dad and mom plan to put on custom-made tops, incorporating each group’s jerseys.

UNDER NO PRESSURE

Fields and Detroit quarterback Jared Goff determine to have on a regular basis they want. The Lions are tied with Atlanta for second-worst within the NFL with 12 sacks, and the Bears are nearly proper there with them with 13.

GROUND GAINS

The Bears joined the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers as the one groups within the Tremendous Bowl period to run for at the very least 225 in 4 straight video games. They’re the primary since New England in 1978 with at the very least 200 in 4 consecutive outings.

Apart from Fields, the Bears have additionally been getting massive contributions from Khalil Herbert. He has 586 yards and averaging 6 per try.