Perhaps you’ve spent some time wondering exactly what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object. Because as everyone knows, two separate masses can’t occupy the same place at the same time. Something’s got to give.
This weekend, however, I’ll be wondering the opposite. What happens when a completely resistible force confronts a highly movable object? Which one wins out? Do they repel? Or do they just start doggie-slapping each other’s hands?
That’s the best analogy I can conjure for Sunday’s matchup between the Chicago Bears' offense and the Detroit Lions' defense. The Bears were anemic this preseason, and I’m not buying late-August claims that they were merely hiding the good stuff. The Lions were not much better, and two players they hoped to anchor their respective position groups -- middle linebacker DeAndre Levy and safety Louis Delmas -- missed substantial portions of the preseason with injuries.
But enough of what I think. Let’s open the floor to you as we launch our first Have at It of the 2010 season. How do you think this matchup will play out in what is going to be a really intriguing NFC North game? Some micro-questions to consider:
* Preseason statistics and rankings are listed in the chart accompanying this post. How much stock do you put in them?
* Do you think the Bears really were holding back the best parts of their offense? If so, can they be sharp if they didn’t practice those plays and schemes in the preseason?
* Do you think the Lions’ improvement at defensive line can cover at other positions? If so, will the Lions win the proverbial battle in the trenches?
