Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears Odds and Game Pick (2020)
The Week 13 showdown between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears features the team that just fired its head coach and the team whose head coach could be next to go.
Technically, the Bears are just a game out of playoff position. However, the Bears feel more like an NFC bottom-feeder rather than a playoff contender.
The Lions are a dumpster fire and came to grips with it last weekend. After an embarrassing loss at home on Thanksgiving to the Houston Texans, Detroit relieved head coach Matt Patricia of his duties.
Can the Bears cover as 3-point favorites, or will Detroit return the favor from when these teams met in the season opener? Let’s breakdown this NFC North matchup.
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for the Lions vs. Bears >>
Details
- Opening Line: Chicago -3
- Last meeting: September 13, 2020, Bears 27-23
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DET
|
+3
-110
|
o44.5
-110
|
+140
|
|
| VIEW PICKS |
CHI
|
-3
-110
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u44.5
-110
|
-175
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View consensus picks and matchup notes for the Lions vs. Bears >>
Overview
Week 1 was a long time ago, so you might forget that Chicago stole that win from Detroit thanks to a 21-point fourth-quarter rally. Mitchell Trubisky was the quarterback then, and he’ll be under center in the rematch after being replaced by Nick Foles from Week 3 to Week 10.
That Week 1 win was the catalyst for a 5-1 start for Chicago that turned out to be an enormous mirage, and maybe the worst thing that could’ve happened to the team long-term. The Bears have now lost five straight and are clearly a fraud.
Even worse, it’s fair to wonder whether the Bears have given up on the season. Chicago was buried by the Packers in primetime coming off its bye week. The final score was 41-25, but the game was essentially over at halftime. Trubisky threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns but also threw two inexplicable interceptions that explain why he hasn’t made it as a pro.
It’s tough to predict how the Lions will respond to Patricia’s firing. I sense that the players were happy to see Patricia go and give an inspired effort off a long week to prepare. Plus, the Lions have revenge on their minds after what happened in Week 1.
The problem is Detroit’s roster is a total mess. Rookie tailback D’Andre Swift should be back from a concussion, but the passing game will still likely be without Kenny Golladay.
The Lions defense is in even worse shape under Patricia’s tutelage. Detroit ranks 31st in scoring defense, 27th in yards per play allowed, 24th in passing defense, and 28th in rush defense.
Chicago’s defense still ranks among the stingiest in the league, but it might be a unit on the decline. The Bears have given up at least 385 yards in three of its last four games. Chicago also isn’t getting much of a pass rush. The Bears have just 21 sacks on the season, and 10 of them have been generated by Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks. No other Bears defender has more than two sacks.
Hicks missed Chicago’s loss to Green Bay with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday. His absence helped Green Bay rush for 182 yards last Sunday night.
Bottom Line
Motivation will play a huge role in this game, and I’m not entirely sure I love a side on this. Will the Lions get the wake-up call after their coach and general manager were fired? Will the Bears respond after Matt Nagy called out the team’s effort following Sunday’s loss?
I have a feeling both teams will show up, and this will be another closely contested contest. What I’m more confident in is the over 44.5. I’m skeptical of Chicago’s defense, and the Lions didn’t have Golladay in the first matchup. Chicago’s offense looked better with Trubisky under center. He can’t throw the Bears out of the game with costly picks.
I don’t love a play in this game, so I’ll give out a couple of leans on the over and the underdog.
The picks: Lean Over 44.5, lean Lions +3
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Matt Barbato is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Matt, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @RealMattBarbato.