Watch CBS News

Valenti and Foster: Why Are Lions Fans Still Scared Of The Chicago Bears?

During the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions have a chance to firmly cement themselves in first place in the NFC North. With the Lions dominating the Bears back in Week 4 at Ford Field, despite giving up two late touchdowns to make the final score a respectable 40-32, some fans are still a little bit weary going into Sunday's matchup.

In that game, the Lions' defense sacked quarterback Jay Cutler three times, hit him six times, and intercepted him another three. Despite speculation, Cutler will start against the Lions on Sunday.

Sure, the Bears won at Lambeau Field on Monday Night, but they did it with the Packers' trotting out backup quarterback Seneca Wallace, who hadn't taken a snap in professional football for more than two years, after Aaron Rodgers got knocked out in the first quarter.

The numbers all favor a Lions team that is coming out of a Bye week still on high on a last-second, comeback victory over the Cowboys.

Even though the Lions haven't won in Chicago since 2007, 97.1 The Ticket's Mike Valenti and Terry Foster want to know why Lions fans are still afraid of the Bears and why there's a lack of confidence going into Sunday's game.

"Your quarterback is playing the best football of his career and your defense does just enough to get the job done," Valenti said on his radio show Friday. "I get the sense that, just because its the Lions, that they have to really prove to the fans that this team is pretty good."

However, the Lions have started to prove that they are a force in the division; with a 2-1 division record, the team is tied atop the North with the Bears and Packers at the halfway point of the season.

"Fans should go in expecting to win and if you don't win, you should be angry about it," Valenti concluded.

Is this a new era in Lions football where expectations are finally higher? Is the team now favorited to win the North with injuries to two rival quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler? And how confident are you going into Sunday's game at Soldier Field?

Let us know in the comments below.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.