Bears vs. Lions -- The battle of the kickers

It is too bad that the Detroit Lions don't play the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears every week.

If they did, they would probably be assured of a .500 record which would be quite an accomplishment for this organization.

Unfortunately, the Lions will have to go on the road to play Seattle, which will be in a pretty bad mood after losing to Steve Spurrier and the Washington Redskins.

This past Sunday's game between the Lions and the Bears was a battle of the kickers and punters.

The Bears punted seven times, while the Lions punted six times. Both teams averaged about 38 yards a punt. This fight was a draw.

Where the Lions came out on top was the main card where Jason Hanson knocked out Paul Edinger.

Edinger kicked one of three field goals, with one being blocked. He could have put them ahead with about 12 minutes left in the game, but missed an attempt that might have won the game.

Then Hanson, who has been Mr. Perfect this year going 13-13 so far, did his thing, kicking four field goals out of four attempts to win the game 12-10.

As far as watching this game, the video could have been sold on an informercial as a cure for insomnia. What a yawner!

When the kickers dominate the game, watching it is a lot like watching paint dry.

Both of these offenses were just offensive. Neither team seemed ready to play, with both quarterbacks performing like this was the first time they passed a football.

Lions' coach Steve Mariucci did not have his team prepared at the start of this game.

First, quarterback Joey Harrington threw an incomplete pass.

Then wide receiver Az Hakim had an illegal procedure penalty called on him, which just shouldn't happen to a wide receiver. All he has to do is watch the center and when the ball is snapped, he takes off on his route. Maybe Harrington got him on a hard count, who knows?

Finally, on one series, after three incomplete passes, it was fourth down and the play clock started to run out, so the Lions had to call a time out. What a waste of a time out -- within the first minute of the game.

Mariucci should have the offense ready for the first series of downs, but they continually don't seem to know what to do.

Also, what is the deal with Detroit's running game, which only had 17 yards against the Bears. (And, no, this wasn't the Bears' Super Bowl Bear defense, but the 3-6 Bear defense.)

Most NFL teams have a running back who broke for 17 yard on one run this past weekend, but the Lions got 17 yards in a whole game. Why even try to run anymore? Just line up with no running backs and go for it.

Maybe it is time to go back to the run-and-shoot of the Wayne Fontes era with five wide receivers. Harrington is one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the league, so they must have good pass blocking. If the Lions' are not going to try to pick up another running back, then why not just pass every down and let the chips fall where they may.

The red zone is a whole story in itself. Even the inept Chicago Bear offense was one for one in the red zone. The Lions' offense was a perfect 0-3 inside the 20. Again, they weren't playing against the best defense in the league.

It is time to come up with passes that go for more than five yards. It seems that the Lions are expecting their receivers to make the yardage for the first down or touchdown after the catch. Throw it into the end zone.

The Lions did try one gadget play. Mariucci had his punter, Nick Harris, throw to a safety for two yards to get a first down when they were on their own 38 yard line. Why? I have no problem going for a first down when it is fourth down, but why put it on a guy who was picked up after John Jett was injured.

A punter who most people have never heard of throwing to a safety. Most of the Detroit wide receivers can't even hang on to the ball, how could a safety? Needless to say, it was a failure.

Enough about the negatives for the Lions, let's look at the positives.

The biggest positive is that Jason Hanson was 4-4 on field goals and won the game for them... and did not get hurt. He comes to play every week, and in my opinion, is the only person on the team to do so, coaches included.

Also, Harrington took care of the ball throwing for 238 yards on 24 completions in 39 attempts. He did what he had to do to not make any mistakes.

Furthermore, the Lions now have their first two-game win streak since 2000, and they matched their win total of last year already.

The defense played better than usual even if it was against a below average offensive team.

So the question is -- are the Lions turning the corner and becoming a good team under the leadership of Mariucci, or were they just in the right place at the right time playing terrible teams the last two weeks?

We find out next Sunday in Seattle, where the Lions, who have found it almost impossible to win on the road, face a tough test against the Seahawks.

The only thing Detroit can count on is that Hanson will do his part to win the game. Now it is up to the rest of the team, coaching staff included, to be ready to do their part?