by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, December 22, 2024
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lions -6.5, Bears +6.5; Over/Under: 48 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lions -6.5, Bears +6.5; Over/Under: 48 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lions -6.5, Bears +6.5; Over/Under: 48 points
Season Record
Detroit Lions: 12-2 (1st place, NFC North)
Chicago Bears: 4-10 (4th place, NFC North)
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Recent Form
Detroit Lions: lost their last game at home against the Buffalo Bills 48-42.
Chicago Bears: lost their last game on the road against the Minnesota Vikings 30-12.
Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears Preview and Analysis
The Lions are entering this game with a 12-2 record overall and they have a 4-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 6-2 in their home games, 6-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Buffalo Bills 48-42. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 38/59 passes for 494 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in rushing yards with 31 and 1 TD. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the receivers with 193 receiving yards on 14 receptions and 1 TD. Brian Branch led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Bears are entering this game with a 4-10 record overall and they have a 0-4 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-3 in their home games, 0-7 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Minnesota Vikings 30-12. Caleb Williams was the starting QB and he completed 18/31 passes for 191 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. D'Andre Swift led the team in rushing yards with 79. Keenan Allen led the receivers with 82 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD. Tremaine Edmunds led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while T. J. Edwards and Chris Williams each led the defense in sacks with 1. Tyrique Stevenson came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Lions vs Bears Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lions listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lions have looked great in their games this season with their 12-2 record overall which has them leading the NFC North with one of the best records in the entire NFL. They had control of the number 1 seed in the NFC until their loss to the Bills last week, but they will be looking to bounce back here against one of the weakest opponents they have left on their schedule. They have been derailed by a ton of injuries lately, but they still have enough in the tank to beat a team like the Bears who have pretty much given up on the season after their head coach was fired. Meanwhile, the Bears have looked terrible in their games this season with their 4-10 record overall which has them at the bottom of the NFC North. They are coming off a 30-12 loss to the Vikings in their last one and that game was on a Monday so they don't have as much rest as the Lions. Their offense has looked terrible lately, especially in the 1st half as they have been getting themselves into big holes, and their defense hasn't been stopping much lately after a great start to the season. The Lions are banged up but they still need to win this game with the number 1 seed on the line and even their own division with the Vikings now tied at 12-2. The Lions almost lost to the Bears at home on Thanksgiving which was the game that got Eberflus fired, but they dominated the Bears in the 1st half and the Lions won't allow them to come back again with what's on the line here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lions to cover the spread in this game.
Lions Bears Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 22, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Lions 30 Bears 13.
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NFL Betting Trends
Detroit Lions: 35-16 ATS in all games. 18-6 ATS in road games. 18-6 ATS after scoring 30 points or more last game. 8-1 ATS after a 2 game home stand. 12-6 OVER as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 20-9 OVER in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 7-2 OVER after a 2 game home stand.
Chicago Bears: 14-21 ATS as an underdog. 3-6 ATS revenging a same season loss against an opponent. 3-6 ATS after a loss by 14 or more points. 13-6 1H OVER as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 12-6 1H OVER off a road loss. 8-3 1H OVER after a loss by 14 or more points.
Key Injuries
Detroit Lions: T. Nowaske (LB) Out - Concussion. A. McNeill (DL) Injured - Concussion. J. Paschal (DL) Injured - Knee. L. Onwuzurike (DL) Injured - Hamstring. T. Decker (T) Injured - Knee. D. Reader (DL) Injured - Shoulder.
Chicago Bears: M. Lewis (TE) Injured - NIR-Rest. D. Swift (RB) Questionable - Groin. J. Blackwell (DB) Injured - Shoulder. T. Homer (RB) Injured - Head. R. Bates (OL) Out - Concussion. E. Hicks (DB) Injured - Ankle. R. Johnson (RB) Out - Concussion. G. Dexter (DL) Out - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“He poses a huge issue." - Dan Campbell on Josh Allen after his team’s loss against the Bills in their last game.
“Just trying to find ways to put us in better spots, design better plays, call better plays.” - Thomas Brown after his team’s loss against the Vikings in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Detroit Lions
WR Patrick, Tim
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE LaPorta, Sam
QB Goff, Jared
RB Gibbs, Jahmyr
Chicago Bears
WR Moore, DJ
WR Odunze, Rome
WR Allen, Keenan
TE Kmet, Cole
QB Williams, Caleb
RB Swift, D'Andre
Statistical Leaders
Detroit Lions
Passing: J. Goff (3759)
Rushing: J. Gibbs (1047)
Receiving: A. St. Brown (1056)
Touchdowns: J. Gibbs (14)
Chicago Bears
Passing: C. Williams (2937)
Rushing: D. Swift (821)
Receiving: D. Moore (758)
Touchdowns: R. Johnson (6)
Coaches:
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (4th season)
Chicago Bears: Thomas Brown (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
