The Detroit Lions have strung together four straight wins to take control of the NFC North and their playoff destiny. They can move one step closer to securing a division title and a postseason berth with a win over the slumping Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Lions are trying to convince people that they’re a contender and they very well might be. However, they are viewed with a lot of skepticism given the fact that they’ve trailed in the fourth quarter in all but one game this season. If Detroit is in fact planning on making a run, they can’t slip up at home against a terrible Bears team that is on the road, starting their third-string quarterback.
Moneyline: Detroit -300
Handicap/Spread Odds: Detroit -7
Total O/U: 44
Last 5 Meetings: (Road/Home – Spread/Total)
| 10/2/2016 | DET 14 – CHI 17 | CHI 3 | U 48 |
| 1/3/2016 | DET 24 – CHI 20 | DET -2.5 | U 45 |
| 10/18/2015 | CHI 34 – DET 37 x | CHI 3.5 | O 45 |
| 12/21/2014 | DET 20 – CHI 14 | CHI 10 | U 43.5 |
| 11/27/2014 | CHI 17 – DET 34 | DET -7.5 | O 45.5 |
On The Bears Side of the Ball (3-9 Record, 5-7 ATS)
Chicago had dropped three in a row before bouncing back with a dominant 26-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the snowy conditions at Soldier Field on Sunday. The Bears handed the ball to running back Jordan Howard and let him to do some serious damages to the 49ers’ defense as he finished with 117 yards and three touchdowns. Matt Barkley managed the game but will have to do more this week in order for Chicago to hang around with Detroit. The Bears defense absolutely rocked Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert with six sacks and only 5-of-15 pass completions for 39 yards between them. Chicago won’t do that to Matt Stafford but they can certainly help their cause with another strong effort. We’ll see if they can maintain that effort on the road.
Last 5 Results:
| 12/4/2016 | SF | W 26-6 | W PK | U 44 |
| 11/27/2016 | TEN | L 21-27 | W 6.5 | O 41.5 |
| 11/20/2016 | @NYG | L 16-22 | W 7 | U 41.5 |
| 11/13/2016 | @TB | L 10-36 | L -2.5 | O 45 |
| 10/31/2016 | MIN | W 20-10 | W 4.5 | U 39.5 |
On The Lions Side of the Ball (8-4 Record, 8-4 ATS)
Stafford completed 30-of-42 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 28-13 win over the New Orleans Saints. Stafford has finally earned some of the credit he deserves by dominating in the fourth quarter this season but last week’s win over Drew Brees and New Orleans left nothing to the final frame as the Lions dominated from start to finish. Detroit will need to establish some sort of a running game in order to be ready for the playoffs but for now they have no problem giving it to Stafford and letting him spread it around to Golden Tate and a strong cast of wide receivers. Meanwhile, the Lions defense managed to hold the Saints to just 13 points despite giving up 369 total yards of offense and after that effort it’s only reasonable to think they can keep Barkley and company in check this Sunday.
Last 5 Results:
| 12/4/2016 | @NO | W 28-13 | W 6.5 | U 53 |
| 11/24/2016 | MIN | W 16-13 | W -1.5 | U 42 |
| 11/20/2016 | JAC | W 26-19 | W -5.5 | U 47 |
| 11/6/2016 | @MIN | W 22-16 x | W 4.5 | U 42.5 |
| 10/30/2016 | @HOU | L 13-20 | L 1 | U 46.5 |
Quick Analysis
Detroit has won six of the last seven games in this series while posting a 5-2 record against the spread dating back to 2013. The Lions have been on fire of late with four straight wins and they have covered in each of those victories. Meanwhile, the Bears have been a tougher out than expected as they have covered four of their last five with a 2-3 record straight up over that span.
Prediction
Chicago might not win this game but their recent trends indicate they should have a good opportunity to cover after they did so against the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants in their last three games. As for the Lions, they’ve trailed in the fourth quarter in almost every single game this season.
Stafford and company should have no problem putting up some solid numbers against the Bears defense and securing the home win, but this game will be closer than most think with the Bears covering on the road thanks in large part to a strong effort from their ground game and defense.
Pick: Chicago +8
Note: Lines subject to change leading up to kick-off, so please be aware of the possibility of line movements.
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