WHAT: Chicago Bears (3-12) at Detroit Lions (7-8)
WHEN: Sunday January 1st at 1:00pm on Fox
WHERE: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
SPREAD: Lions -6, over/under 52.5 points
WEATHER: Perfect, it’s a dome.
HISTORY: Including the playoffs, the Bears hold a 106-76-5 record against the Lions. The last meeting was won by the Lions 31-30 on November 13th.
PREVIEW: Detroit experienced a little bit of a reality check in losing to the Panthers last week. If this team wants to make the playoffs, they will have to win out and get help. A loss to the incoming Bears will all but eliminate them from playoff contention. With a win, coupled with losses by the Seahawks and Commanders, Detroit would move into the 7th and final playoff spot with one week to go.
WHEN THE LIONS ARE ON OFFENSE:
The Lions will need to establish the running game. I know they have struggled in that area the last few weeks, but Chicago gives up 150 yards rushing a game, so they are vulnerable to the run. Use the pass to set up the run, Jared Goff had a good day the last time they played the Bears. That was without DJ Chark and Jameson Williams. Now he has his full complement of weapons to play with and in regard to the latter, get him more than the one target he had against Carolina. Williams is a playmaker, use him. Get him out in space, reverses, slants, screens. Just use him. That will open up the run game and they should be able to take control of this game. If Detroit can control the time of possession, keep the defense off the field and rested, they can win the game.
WHEN THE LIONS ARE ON DEFENSE:
The Bears are the best in the league in rushing offense. They are averaging nearly 180 yards per game on the ground. A lot of that has to do with Justin Fields. Detroit cannot afford to let him run all over the place. If they can limit him to 70 yards or less, that will go a long way towards shutting the offense down. Chicago is dead last in passing yards. If the defense can be disciplined enough to keep Fields in the pocket, force him to throw to a lackluster group of receivers and limit the yardage gained on designed roll outs and QB draws, it should be a relatively easy win.
PREDICTION: The key to the game for the Lions is limiting Justin Fields. He is their only real threat other than David Montgomery. If Detroit does the following, they will win. Hold the Bears to around 100 yards rushing and don’t blow any coverages in the secondary on defense. On offense, rush for 150 yards, get Jameson Williams more involved and control time of possession. Rivalry games are always tricky, but I think head coach Dan Campbell will have them ready. Give me the Lions in a 27-20 victory.
POWER RANKINGS TOP 5
- Philadelphia Eagles: I know they are coming off a loss, but it was without Jalen Hurts. What concerns me is that defense got shredded for 40 points and they came out of that game with some injuries. They may not be long for this spot.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Another team that has defensive issues. Good thing they have the best QB on the planet.
- Buffalo Bills: If they get homefield advantage in the AFC, I don’t know who goes into Buffalo and beats them, that includes the aforementioned Patrick Mahomes.
- Dallas Cowboys: Since Dak has come back, they are averaging over 30 points a game on offense. Even with the bad luck interceptions. If the defense gets back to playing at a high level, look out.
- San Francisco 49ers: I feel like this team could be number 1 except they don’t have a QB I trust yet. That defense is no joke, though.
