The Lions will face their former offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Sunday. Martz is directing the Bears offense, these days, and the question is whether or not he will have to taper his vertical passing system against the hard-charging Lions' front four?

Teams in the preseason had success neutralizing the Lions' rush with quick-hitters, delays and reverses. Martz's system is predicating on stretching defenses vertically with long passes. Those require quarterbacks to take five- and seven-step drops that have the Lions defensive linemen licking their chops.

"That definitely gives you more of an opportunity to get to the quarterback when you see him dropping back five or seven steps and throwing bombs," said DT Ndamukong Suh. "I don't know if they are going to play us that way, but if they do, so be it. Even if they don't play that way, our plan is still the same -- to get after the quarterback."

PLAYER NOTES

--RB Jahvid Best is going to be the primary back and the Lions feel comfortable using him in every situation. The initial plan was for him to split the position with veteran Kevin Smith, but Smith's recovery from major knee surgery isn't complete. Smith could be inactive Sunday.

--RB Maurice Morris, who finished last season as the No. 1 tailback, will most likely back up Best.

--LB Landon Johnson is the most likely candidate to start at middle linebacker if DeAndre Levy (groin) can't play. The Lions could also used newly-acquired Spencer Havner, though he was playing mostly on offense before being released by Green Bay.

--Return specialist Stefan Logan is expected to handle both punt and kickoff returns.

--DE Lawrence Jackson, whom the Lions acquired from Seattle for a sixth-round pick in 2011, is listed fifth on the depth chart behind starters Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril, and behind Turk McBride and rookie Willie Young. He, too, could be inactive Sunday.

GAME PLAN
If you are a betting man, take the over. Even though the Bears offense is in the early stages of development with Martz, the Lions' defense, after the front four, is largely a mess. If the Lions don't get pressure on Jay Cutler, he will have a field day on the secondary. The offense won't be able to afford many empty possessions. The Lions were competitive for stretches in both games a year ago, but they shot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers and by yielding big plays (like long returns for touchdowns). The Lions could be starting as many as six first or second-year players, so minimizing mistakes will be at a premium.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Lions LT Jeff Backus, a 10-year vet, vs. Bears DE Julius Peppers -- This is only the second time Backus has gone against Peppers. The first time was in Carolina and Peppers dominated. The Lions will try to play fast offensively, maybe even us no-huddle, and use a lot of quick-hitting routes to keep Peppers at bay.

Lions front four vs. Bears offensive line -- The Bears' O-Line was widely vilified last season and there have been no discernable personnel upgrades made during the offseason. Rookie DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch should put a lot of pressure on C Olin Kreutz and LT Chris Williams, respectively.

Lions coverage teams vs. Bears return men Devin Hester and Johnny Knox -- The Lions coverage teams were destroyed by those two last year. The Lions did a major overhaul on their coverage teams over the summer and there was little to show for it in the preseason.

INJURY IMPACT
MLB DeAndre Levy (groin) didn't practice through Wednesday and he was doubtful for Thursday. It is highly unlikely that the Lions would risk further injury by rushing him back.

--FS Louis Delmas (groin) is practiced Monday and will go again Thursday. He told reporters Wednesday that he plans to play.

--RB Kevin Smith (knee) had major knee surgery in January and hasn't come close to full speed in preseason. Most likely will be inactive Sunday.

--SS C.C. Brown (forearm) has practiced all week and should be ready to play.

--CB Jonathan Wade (finger) has practiced all week and his only issue is getting comfortable wearing the thick protective padding.

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