The Detroit Lions (12-2) are suddenly in jeopardy of blowing the top seed in the NFC. They visit their longtime rivals, the Chicago Bears (4-10), losers of eight straight. Our Lions vs Bears prediction is for favored Detroit to cover the 6.5-point spread. The teams will score more than 47.5 points.
Head-to-head, Chicago leads with a record of 105-79-5.
The Lions won their Thanksgiving Day meeting 23-20. The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Black Friday after his late-game mismanagement cost his team a chance to score the upset.
Offshore Odds: Injury-Ravaged Detroit is a 6.5-Point Favorite
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | -6.5 (-114) | -310 | O 47.5 (-110) |
| Bears | +6.5 (-106) | +260 | U 47.5 (-110) |
Detroit’s Loss to Buffalo is Costly in Multiple Ways
All season long, Detroit appeared to be on a mission to right the wrongs from 2023 when they lost to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game. After a 20-16 loss to Tampa Bay in Week 2, the Lions ran roughshod over the NFL, winning 11 straight.
They were efficient and merciless, posting 40+ points four times. They won games they should have lost and took on the personality of their “run through the wall” head coach Dan Campbell.
Still, there were lingering issues and those came to light in their 48-42 loss to the Bills. Most notably, their defense is battered by injuries. They lost defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a broken fibula. Their secondary is a hospital ward with Carlton Davis III (broken jaw) and Khalil Dorsey (broken leg) on injured reserve. Brian Branch is dealing with a calf issue.
Star running back David Montgomery — who combines with Jahmyr Gibbs to create the duo “Sonic and Knuckles” — tore his MCL and could miss the remainder of the season.
Suddenly, they are tied with Minnesota for first place in the NFC North. Detroit, Minnesota, and Philadelphia share the best conference record. The Lions must beat Chicago if they want to have a chance at regaining the top spot.
Spiraling Bears Get Worse Every Week
For Chicago, there were bound to be growing pains with rookie QB Caleb Williams no matter how hyped he was coming out of USC as the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But few could have expected him to look so overwhelmed that even a fellow former first overall pick who struggled mightily as a rookie — ESPN broadcaster and Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Troy Aikman — said he looked “defeated.”
This encapsulates what the Bears and Williams are enduring. They’ve lost eight straight and their on-paper schedule suggests they won’t win another game this season.
Lions vs Bears Prediction: Detroit Will Run Chicago Off the Field
Detroit understands the math. They want to take out their frustrations from the Buffalo loss on someone. Chicago is the unfortunate victim. The Lions will put the game away in the first half and cover the 6.5-point spread. The total points will surpass 47.5.
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