The Bears need to keep an eye on both “Knuckles” and “Sonic.”

That’s the “thunder and lightning” style nickname that the Lions’ running backs go by David Montgomery And Jahmyr Gibbs Earlier this year, they gave each other a nod to the video game Sonic the Hedgehog.

“Both are pretty good defenders, but they present a different style of play,” defensive end said Montez sweat said before the Bears’ walkthrough on Tuesday. “(Gibbs) is definitely a faster back. Montgomery, who was here before me, is more of a guy who plays between two tackles.”

In his second season, Gibbs ranks fourth in the NFL with 886 rushing yards.

“The way they can isolate him from certain aspects of your coverage and … they find ways to make plans to get him the football,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington said.

Montgomery, who spent his first four seasons with the Bears before signing with the Lions in March 2023, has 632 rushing yards – just 33 fewer than the Bears’ leading rusher. D’Andre Swift.

Only five teams have more rushing yards than the Lions. They played nine games in which both running backs scored touchdowns, which ranks third all-time for two teammates, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

That’s a tall order for a Bears defense that has gotten worse against the run since the nose tackle Andrew Billings was injured in Week 9 against the Cardinals.

“Our most important job in this game is to stop the run so we earn the right to attack the passer,” said the defensive end Darrell Taylor said.

Less Rique

Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson started Sunday but played fewer than half of the Bears’ defensive snaps for the first time all season. Stevenson – who infamously spent the start of the Commanders’ Hail Mary yapping at fans – was replaced by Terell Smithwho was used in two-thirds of the Bears’ defensive snaps while Stevenson shot 35% against the Vikings. The week before, Smith appeared in 41% of the Bears’ snaps, while Stevenson appeared in 59%.

Washington cited Smith’s production as the reason for the increase.

“I love his ability to cover guys,” he said. “I love his ability to diagnose and really feel route concepts and pattern pressures. … A few weeks ago he came up with a selection for us. So the production is there. We trust him, he is reliable and he can really do exactly what we need this position to do.”

Special error

Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower he said, coach Matt Eberflus decided to try out for a field goal as a kicker Cairo Santos and holder Tory Taylor ran onto the field for the fourth-and-4, but was sent back when the offense remained on the field. quarterback Caleb Williams eventually threw an incomplete pass.

Hightower said his headset was tuned to the special teams channel when Eberflus announced the decision on the offensive coaches channel.

“(Eberflus) said he was on the other line (tried), and he just didn’t tell us,” Hightower said.

Notes

The Bears have been working on Santos’ spinning onside kick – which he converted to give his team a chance to tie the game – since Hightower’s arrival.

“They never complained about doing it twice a week for two and a half years,” Hightower said.

• The Lions and Bears appreciated their practice participation after holding a walk-through for the second straight day. Ninth-year left tackle Taylor Decker missed his second straight Lions practice with a knee injury. Recipient Caliph Raymond (foot) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (Knee/Thumb) also missed training. All-world receiver Amon-Ra St. Brownwho had a knee injury was only able to participate to a limited extent.

• Provides security Elijah Hicks did not participate in the team’s passage as a guard Ryan Bates was limited but remains in the concussion protocol.

The Bears offense is getting going after two weeks of progress under new coordinator Thomas Brown, but faces a Lions defense that ranks second in points allowed. The Lions’ running back duo, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, will test the Bears’ run defense.

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After entering the draw week with a win, the Bears have lost five straight, with a series of self-incriminating problems – discipline, technique, details and fundamentals. In Week 12 of Grade 3, these are all topics that should be deep-rooted strengths of a team, not excuses.

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