NFL: Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears - Odds, Prediction & Picks

Detroit is now 9-3 with a three-game lead in the NFC North, which means their magic number is three to clinch it. It’s still the best record for the franchise over 12 games since 1962. Sunday the Lions travel to Soldier Field to play the Bears who have won two out of their last three. The Bears coughed up a fourth-quarter lead on the Lions three weeks ago, something they haven’t forgotten. Detroit had trouble stopping Bears QB Justin Fields that day while the Bears feel like they let one get away. 

Odds provided by BetMGM.

Lions

The Lions defense has sagged a bit in the last few weeks, but the offense is humming. Quarterback Jared Goff leads an offense that ranks No. 5 in the NFL in passing and No. 4 in rushing. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has become a tremendous target and is fourth among all rookie pass catchers with 679 yards. The last Lions tight end to made the Pro Bowl was David Sloan in 1999.

Injury Report: The Lions continue to be relatively healthy. OL Frank Ragnow was on the injured report Wednesday as he deals with a knee injury. Back-up linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez was also listed with an ankle injury. Starting linebacker Alex Anzalone returned to practice Wednesday after missing the win over the Saints with a hand injury.

Bears

Chicago has been playing better football the last few weeks and got a confidence-building win over Minnesota before their bye week. Fields led a late drive that led to a FG in the 12-10 win. The Bears still don’t have many big play threats other than DJ Moore in the passing game, but their offense ranks third in running, but that’s due to Fields who may be a better runner than thrower at this stage of his career.

Injury Report: After a bye week, the Bears are pretty healthy. They listed four players on their injury report this week: LB Noah Sewell, OL Larry Borom, RB D’Onta Foreman and DB Tyrique Stevenson.

The Bears have lost their last nine games after a bye.

Detroit is 8-4 against the spread and 8-4 over/under. The Bears are 5-5-2 against the spread this season and 7-5 over/under.

The Lions have covered three of their last four games against the Bears and have covered the spread in each of their last four games as road favorites.

Detroit jumped out to a 21-0 lead on the Saints in the first seven minutes, but needed to make some plays late to clinch a 33-28 win. It was the type of win good teams get. The Lions were also aggressive late in the game, throwing the ball for a first down to clinch it. You love it when a coach shows confidence in his players to execute in the clutch.

You can look at the first game between these two teams two ways, one is that the Lions found a way to make plays late and steal one by scoring 17 points in the final four minutes, or you could say the Bears were right there and should have won. Leading up to this week, the Bears players were quoted saying they felt they let one slip away.

Detroit is still the better, more balanced team, but there is a concern in that Fields had success running on the Lions, exposing a lack of athleticism at linebacker. You know who else did that? Lamar Jackson for the Ravens in their win over Detroit.

The Bears are rested, and will be playing at home. They say they’re motivated, even though they don’t really have a shot at the playoffs. Will it be enough?

I’m thinking this could still be a Lions win on the moneyline, but I didn’t like how the defense struggled against the Saints in the second half, and Fields torched the Lions with his legs in the first meeting. I can see the Lions winning, but I am not sure they cover

Bears +3.5 (-110) | BetMGM