On Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Bears (4-7, 5-4-2 ATS, 4-7 O/U) face off against the Detroit Lions (10-1, 9-2 ATS, 5-5-1 O/U) in a key divisional matchup. The Bears suffered a close loss at home against the Vikings last week, while the Lions secured a road victory against the Colts. Last season, the Lions triumphed over the Bears in both encounters.
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Chicago Bears’ Struggles Continue
The Chicago Bears enter this game on a five-game losing streak. After starting the season with a promising 4-2 record, they now find themselves 2.5 games behind a wildcard spot. Recent losses include a 20-19 defeat to the Packers and a 30-27 overtime loss to the Vikings, where they were three-point underdogs. In their last five games, the Bears have only managed to cover the spread once.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is showing potential in his first season. Although he has surpassed 250 passing yards only three times, he excelled last week with 340 yards, bringing his total to 2,356 passing yards with an 11:5 touchdown to interception ratio. In addition, he has gained 339 rushing yards.
This season, Chicago has leaned heavily on the running game. Running back D’Andre Swift has consistently gained over 50 rushing yards in four of his last five outings, totaling 665 yards this season. DJ Moore is the leading receiver with 566 yards, while young receiver Rome Odunze has had impressive outings, including two games with over 100 receiving yards, contributing 518 yards in total. However, the Bears’ offense has struggled to score, averaging fewer than 20 points in four of their last five games.
On the defensive side, the Bears have been a stabilizing force, allowing 20 points or fewer in four of their last six games. They held strong against a competitive Commanders offense, allowing only 18 points. However, they did allow 452 total yards to Minnesota last week. The pass defense ranks 14th, while the rush defense sits at 20th.
With an average of 20.1 points per game, the Bears are placed 23rd in the league. Their defense is performing well, limiting opponents to an average of 19.7 points, which ranks eighth overall.
Detroit Lions Continue Their Winning Streak
The Detroit Lions are on a roll, having not lost since their week two game against the Buccaneers, where they fell 20-16 at home. Currently leading the NFC, the Lions are in a strong position for a playoff bye. Despite their impressive 10-1 record, they are just one game ahead of the Vikings in the fiercely contested NFC North division, making this match crucial. The Lions recently crushed the Jaguars 52-6 and defeated the Colts 24-6, covering the spread in four of their last five games.
Quarterback Jared Goff has bounced back from earlier inconsistencies, achieving at least 240 passing yards in his last three games. He has crossed the 250-yard mark six times this season, including a solid 269 yards against the Colts. To date, Goff has accumulated 2,761 passing yards with a 20:9 touchdown to interception ratio.
The Lions boast a powerful rushing attack, led by Jahmyr Gibbs, who has been a standout performer, recording at least 65 rushing yards in six consecutive games for a total of 886 yards this season. Veteran David Montgomery also contributes significantly with 632 rushing yards but is currently questionable due to a shoulder injury. The receiving corps is deep, with Amon-Ra St. Brown totaling 747 receiving yards despite dealing with a knee issue. Jameson Williams has emerged as a key player, with 602 yards this season. The Lions’ offense is dynamic, averaging 394 yards per game and having scored over 50 points twice in their last five games.
Defensively, the Lions have shown improvement throughout the season, overcoming some early struggles, including a tough game against the Vikings. The absence of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has challenged them, yet they have managed to hold opponents to 23 points or fewer in five consecutive games. They restricted the Colts to only 268 yards last week. Their pass defense is ranked 25th, but their rush defense is impressive, standing at fifth.
With an average of 32.7 points per game, the Lions are the highest-scoring team in the league. Their defense has been effective, allowing only 16.6 points per game, which ranks second overall.
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