As the Detroit Lions (12-2) prepare to face the Chicago Bears (4-10) on Sunday, fans are eager to see who will emerge victorious in this NFC North clash. The last encounter on November 28 ended in a narrow 23-20 win for the Lions, thanks in part to some questionable time management by the Bears during the final play.
During the Thanksgiving matchup, Jared Goff connected with Sam LaPorta for two touchdown passes, and Jake Bates contributed with three field goals in the first half. Meanwhile, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had a commendable performance, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions.
Lions Stumble Against the Bills
The Lions have showcased their offensive prowess this season, holding a strong 12-2 record and a 9-5 mark against the spread (ATS). However, their recent game resulted in a surprising 48-42 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, ending an impressive 11-game winning streak. In that high-scoring affair, Goff passed for 494 yards and five touchdowns, but the Lions’ ground game struggled, accumulating only 48 yards on 15 carries. Goff’s statistics for the season are remarkable, featuring 3,759 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions over 14 games. Unfortunately, running back David Montgomery will miss the rest of the regular season due to an MCL injury, but he may return if the Lions make the playoffs.
Head coach Dan Campbell has cultivated a resilient mindset within the team, which has led to numerous convincing victories. The Lions currently lead the NFL in scoring, averaging 32.8 points per game. Their defense has also been impressive, allowing only 20.1 points per game, ranking seventh overall. In their previous meeting with the Bears, Detroit managed to fend off a late challenge, securing the win despite injuries to key players, including defensive tackle Alim McNeill (ACL) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (jaw).
Caleb Williams Shines Amidst Struggles
The Chicago Bears have faced a difficult season, standing at 4-10 and with a record of 6-6-2 against the spread. Currently on an eight-game losing streak, they were recently defeated by the Minnesota Vikings, 30-12. As they return home after three consecutive away games, the Bears hope to turn their fortunes around. Despite the team’s challenges, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has delivered some impressive performances. He has thrown 17 touchdowns with only five interceptions this season and has not thrown a pick in the last eight games. Williams has shown great resilience, often standing firm in the pocket despite being sacked a league-high 47 times. His completion rate stands at 61.9%, with 2,937 passing yards and 408 rushing yards. Running back D’Andre Swift has led the team on the ground, accumulating 821 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
The Bears’ offense has struggled to find consistency, averaging just 19 points per game, placing them at 25th in the NFL. On the defensive side, they have allowed 22 points per game, ranking 11th overall. In their last encounter with the Lions, Chicago had a chance to pull off an upset but fell short, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus.
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Key Betting Insights for Lions vs. Bears
