The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are set to go at it indoors at Ford Field. The Thursday game is going to be nationally-televised on FOX and the opening kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.
Thursday NightBetting Preview: Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
In this Thursday NFC game, Detroit has been tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 1 point. The Bears are also receiving -105 moneyline odds while the Lions are -115. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 41 points. It appears that there will likely be multiple solid live betting opportunities while this contest is taking place.
This game’s line opened at -2. The O/U has not moved after it was set initially at 41.
The disappointing Bears are 3-7 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 5.5 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 3-7.
The Lions have lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-6 ATS and have an O/U record of 7-3.
The Bears are 5-6 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against NFC North opponents. The Lions are 3-7-1 SU overall and 0-3 SU against divisional foes.
The Bears enter after a 19-14 win over the Giants in Week 12 where Mitchell Trubisky completed 25-of-41 passes for 278 yards, one score and two interceptions. David Montgomery (22 rushing yards on 13 attempts) spearheaded the running attack in the win. Tarik Cohen (seven receptions, 29 yards) and Allen Robinson II (six catches, 131 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties.
In Week 12, Washington took care of this Detroit crew by a score of 19-16. The Lions defense did its job in the loss, holding the Redskins to just 156 passing yards and 86 rushing yards. Terry McLaurin had a good outing in the win for Washington, recording 72 yards on five catches. For Detroit, Jeff Driskel completed 20-of-33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Bo Scarbrough (98 yards on 18 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Driskel (63 yards on nine carries) handled the ground attack in the defeat while Marvin Jones Jr. (five receptions, 46 yards) and Kenny Golladay (four catches, 61 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Chicago has run the ball on 39.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Detroit has a rush percentage of 42.6 percent. The Bears have run for 78.5 yards per game (including 66.3 per game against North opponents) and have six scores via handoffs this year. The Lions are putting up 105.6 rush yards per game (78.3 in conference) and have four total rushing TDs.
The Bears offensive scheme has averaged 208.5 yards in the air overall (201.7 per game against conference opposition) and has 13 passing scores so far. The Lions have produced 289.5 pass yards per contest (299 in the NFC) and have 23 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Chicago appears to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 96.8 yards and pass for 236.5 yards per game. The Detroit defense has allowed 289.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 120.7 yards per game on the ground. The Bears are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.47 to opposing QBs, while the Lions have given up a 7.56 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Trubisky is up to 1,668 yards this season, and has connected on 63 percent of his 280 attempts with nine passing scores and five interceptions. Trubisky’s got a 4.86 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.17 over the last two outings.
Allen Robinson II, Anthony Miller and Tarik Cohen have combined to account for 405 total yards and two touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, Jeff Driskel has managed to complete 47-of-79 passes for 476 yards, two TDs and four INTs. Driskel’s ANY/A stands at a minuscule 3.54 for the season and 4.49 across his last two outings.
Similar to the Bears, expect a balanced attack offensively from Detroit this Thursday. Bo Scarbrough (98 rushing yards on the year), Jeff Driskel (100 rush yards, six receiving yards) and Kenny Golladay (758 receiving yards, eight receiving TDs) have combined for 362 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over the last two games.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Lions, ATS Winner: Lions, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- Detroit has lost seven fumbles this season while Chicago has let four get away.
- The Chicago defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 26 times this year. Detroit has recorded 23 sacks.
- Chicago has rushed for 3.0 yards per attempt across its past three outings and 2.8 over its last two.
- Detroit has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its past two.
- Detroit has dropped eight of its last nine games SU, with a five-point win over New York on October 27th accounting for its only victory over that span.
