Bears vs Lions Prediction: 10-1 Detroit Must Avoid Letdown Against Chicago (NFL Thanksgiving)

The Chicago Bears (4-7) visit the Detroit Lions (10-1) in the traditional NFL Thanksgiving game in the Motor City. Our Bears vs Lions prediction is for underdog Chicago to keep the game close enough to cover the heavy 10-point spread.

The Midwest rivals have met 188 times. The Bears lead with a record of 105-78-5.

Offshore Odds: Detroit Heavily Favored Over Chicago

Bears Keep Losing in Unusual Ways

Chicago’s offensive production has improved in the two weeks since firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Objectively, they should have won both games.

In the first, a 20-19 loss to Green Bay, a last-second blocked field goal cost them a dramatic win. In the second, a 30-27 loss to Minnesota, they mounted a frantic comeback in the last minute tying the game after recovering an onside kick. They forced overtime before losing.

Losses aside, it is a positive that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has looked more comfortable under interim OC Thomas Brown.

Expect Chicago and Williams to play with reckless abandon. It’s a nationally televised game on a major holiday. Williams is accustomed to big-game attention from his time at USC. And Detroit’s one vulnerability is pass defense, ranked 25th in the league in yards allowed per game.

With Washington struggling, Chicago is not completely out of the playoff picture. Their schedule is, er, Bearish, but like the cliche says, one game at a time.

The Lions’ Seasonlong Rampage Continues Uninterrupted

Detroit has won nine straight and has the top spot in the NFC. Despite having laid waste to all comers, they cannot take their foot off the gas. Philadelphia and Minnesota are right behind them at 9-2. Their remaining schedule is not easy and Chicago is a vulnerable — though dangerous — opponent.

In Week 12, Indianapolis put up a fight before Detroit pulled away. Quarterback Jared Goff was his efficient self completing 26 of 36 passes for 269 yards. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was unable to take advantage of the Lions’ vulnerability on pass defense. Williams is not such an easy mark.

Detroit should be able to exploit Chicago’s shaky run defense. They are also dealing with some nagging injuries to key offensive stars Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery. Both are expected to play on Thanksgiving.

Bears vs Lions Prediction: Detroit Wins a Tight Contest

Chicago has been knocking on the door of an upset win for two weeks. For Detroit, this is a quintessential trap game playing a talented but underachieving opponent. The rivalry aspect cannot be ignored.

That aside, Detroit is the superior team and their focus has been on point all season as if they know they missed their chance in last season’s NFC Championship Game and do not want to risk blowing it again.

The game will be closer than anticipated, but Detroit will ultimately win, but by less than 10 points.

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• Regular Season (NFL)