PRO FOOTBALL : Bears, No. 1 in Defense, Take On Detroit Tonight

Chicago Bear Coach Mike Ditka doesn’t care what people think of his team.

The Bears are defending Super Bowl champions, have a 12-2 record and are assured of a playoff berth. And they’ll take the NFL’s No. 1 defense into tonight’s game against the Detroit Lions.

Therefore, it’s easy to understand Ditka’s lack of concern about his team’s image.

“We don’t care about the publicity,” Ditka said. “We let others judge us. We know we have a good team. We’ve just got to worry about winning now.”

The Bears can clinch the home-field advantage for their first playoff game by beating the Lions (5-9).

The Bears, with quarterback Jim McMahon hurt much of the season, haven’t been rolling up big scores. But with the NFL’s best defense, they haven’t needed a lot of points.

“I think if you look, you can see what’s the matter with us,” Ditka said. “The difference in this team now and a year ago is turnovers. Last year, we were plus 14 or 16. Right now, we’re only plus 3 in giveaways and takeaways. That’s basically the biggest difference.” “I’m pleased with our team,” Ditka said. “It’s not as much fun as it was a year ago. I think it’s more businesslike.”

Lion rookie Chuck Long will get his first start at quarterback. The Bears will use Mike Tomczak and Doug Flutie in place of McMahon.

The Bears have outscored their opponents, 312-164, and have allowed an average of 265 total yards per game.

The Lions’ defense ranks 18th among the NFL’s 28 teams. Detroit has allowed an average of 331.3 yards per game, and the Lions have been outscored, 290-258.

In their first meeting this year, the Bears beat the Lions, 13-7, when Chicago linebacker Wilber Marshall sacked Eric Hipple, stripped him of the ball, then picked it up and returned it 12 yards for Chicago’s only touchdown.