>>Packers Host Lions Sunday
It's going to be a battle of big time quarterbacks at Lambeau Field Sunday as the Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions.
In years past, the quarterback edge has gone to Aaron Rodgers, but a slow finish last year and struggles early this year could give the edge to Matthew Stafford.
Through two weeks, Stafford has thrown for 600 yards, completed 67.1 percent of his passes and ranks ninth with a passer rating of 101.3. Compare that to Rodgers, who has thrown for 412 yards, completed 57.1 percent of his passes and ranks 22nd with a passer rating of 82.5.
Green Bay will attack a Detroit defense that has allowed 5.1 yards per carry and an opponent passer rating of 112.7. The linebacker corps has been gutted, with injuries to DeAndre Levy (quad) and Kyle Van Noy (calf) leaving only Tahir Whitehead among the starting trio from last week vs. Tennessee.
Calvin Johnson, still one of the premier receivers in the NFL, retired in the offseason and the Lions filled the void by signing Marvin Jones and veteran Anquan Boldin. Combined with Golden Tate, who has back-to-back seasons of 90-plus catches, the Lions have a talented three-receiver package.
>>Bears in Dallas For Sunday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott celebrated his first career victory last Sunday with his teammates.
By the time the 23-year-old woke up the next morning, he was hungry for seconds.
That could be bad news for the Chicago Bears (0-2) as they prepare for a challenging road game on short rest. They will head south to face the Cowboys (1-1) in a prime-time matchup Sunday night.
Already, Prescott is making history as a replacement for injured starter Tony Romo. The 6-foot-2, 226-pound signal-caller from Mississippi State has thrown 75 passes without an interception in his first two NFL games. He broke the record held by Warren Moon, who started his career with 72 passes without an interception.
The Bears are riddled with injuries on both sides of the field, but no position hurts worse than quarterback. Eight-year veteran Brian Hoyer is expected to start against the Cowboys in place of Jay Cutler, who sprained his right thumb Monday and was forced to leave the game early because he could not grip the football.
Hoyer, 30, does not deliver nearly the same excitement level as Prescott provides in backing up Romo. However, the journeyman showed his competency Monday as he completed nine of 12 passes for 78 yards after replacing Cutler.
He has thrown for 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in his career, which also has included stops in New England, Arizona, Cleveland and Houston.
>>Bears Promote QB Barkley From Practice Squad
The Chicago Bears have promoted quarterback Matt Barkley to the active roster and placed linebacker Lamarr Houston on injured reserve.
Barkley, the former USC star, figures to back up Brian Hoyer at Dallas on Sunday night after starter Jay Cutler sprained his right thumb in Monday's loss to Philadelphia.
Although the Bears haven't said Cutler is out, Hoyer has been practicing with the first team.
Houston tore the ACL in his left knee against the Eagles.
The Bears also signed fullback Paul Lasike to the practice squad on Thursday after releasing him this week.
