Major Wright: Matthew Stafford 'folds' under pressure

For a team that's barely hanging on in the NFC playoff picture, the Chicago Bears sure like to talk.

After Bears defensive tackle Henry Meltoncalled the Lions a dirty team Wednesday, safety Major Wright flung an arrow at Detroit's starting quarterback.

"You've got Matthew Stafford, he's definitely having an OK season," Wright told the Detroit News. "He can make any throw on that field, so you have to be aware of putting pressure on him because you put a little pressure on him -- he kind of folds. ... You put a little pressure on (Stafford), you close the pocket on him, and he hesitates. He doesn't make that perfect throw."

Wright's ill-timed analysis has some merit. Stafford has struggled at points this season. His mechanics are an occasional disaster, and his decision-making has come under fire, but he still has thrown for 4,695 yards, second only to Drew Brees in the NFL and almost 2,000 more than Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Stafford has a chance to respond this weekend, when the Bears (9-6) face the Lions (4-11) in a regular-season finale that will decide Chicago's playoff fate.

Calvin Johnson

After the Bears started 7-1, only to crumble down the stretch, you'd think they'd zip it and get down to business, but Wright would rather litter the Lions' locker room with a Russian novel full of bulletin-board material. So be it.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.