Bears vs. Lions predictions: Can Thomas Brown outpace Ben Johnson?

Matt Eberflus is no stranger to outside noise. It comes with the territory when you own a 14-31 record as a head coach.

But with Thomas Brown just three weeks into running the offense and quickly building a solid rapport with Caleb Williams, chatter is at an all-time high for the Bears’ head coach.

Thursday’s Thanksgiving showdown presents a fun and interesting opportunity for Bears fans. Not only will they have a chance to see Brown lead Williams against an aggressive defense, but they’ll get to see Ben Johnson’s Lions offense.

Detroit’s offense, led by Jared Goff and former Bears running back David Montgomery, is tied with the Baltimore Ravens atop the league with 45 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Chicago is finally getting in a groove under Brown since firing Shane Waldron. Williams threw two touchdowns and helped the Bears force overtime against the Vikings last Sunday after trailing by 11 with less than a minute left. However, it wasn’t enough to break a four-game skid.

It’s a battle between two likely candidates for the head coaching job in Chicago. Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam Hoge (5-6) | Lions 34, Bears 27

I expect the offensive momentum to continue this week, especially because the Lions could be short-handed and the Bears have some favorable matchups. Unfortunately, I don’t like how the Bears’ defense is trending, so this isn’t the best time to face the league’s No. 1 scoring offense. Don’t be surprised if this is another close/entertaining game in the fourth quarter, but the Lions should eventually pull ahead.

Nicholas Moreano (7-4) | Bears 27, Lions 24

I’m doing it. Bears break the dreadful five-game losing streak against the 10-1 Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. The Bears have lost their last two NFC North games by four total points. The Bears are proving they can keep things competitive, and I think they do the same against Detroit. Jared Goff has thrown five interceptions in the last two games against Chicago. That streak continues, and the Bears’ rush defense has one of its best performances of the year. Caleb Williams also keeps the ball out of harm’s way and completes more of those tight-window throws.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Nicholas Moreano on Caleb Williams playing ‘aggressive’ and with no fear.

Corey Wootton (7-4) | Lions 31, Bears 24

Offense continues to play well, but defense continues to struggle. They struggle to stop Goff and that efficient Lions Offense.

Mark Carman (8-3) | Lions 24, Bears 23

Everything comes in 3’s they say. We can extract that to division heartbreak losses. The Bears have played the Lions well. The Lions are banged up. The offense is on a nice upward trajectory. The Bears, if you listen to Cole Kmet on The Eighty Five, are very excited to play this Thanksgiving game. I smell a tight one and I smell another tight loss.

Greg Braggs Jr. (6-5) | Lions 34, Bears 20

Bears fans will lean on the fact that Chicago should’ve beaten Detroit twice last year. But this isn’t last year’s Lions and this isn’t last year’s Bears defense. The Bears have given up a ton of yardage in their 5-game losing streak, including 450 total yards on Sunday to the Vikings. Now you head to Detroit to face one of the best teams, one of the most well-coached teams in football. This isn’t last year’s Lions, they are a well-oiled machine. The Bears have come up short in a couple of miraculous comebacks where Washington and Minnesota kept the door open. I expect the Bears to keep it a game in the 1st half and the Lions to slam the door shut in the 2nd half.

My biggest question: How can Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren sit idly by after the Bears go from 4-2 to 4-8? After 3 straight divisional losses. Most coaches get fired at the end of the year on Black Monday. I want the Bears to change their ways and do what’s necessary on Black Friday.

Patrick Norton (5-6) | Lions 40, Bears 20

Enjoy the day with your family and friends. Unfortunately, the Turkey Bowl with your old pals from the neighborhood might be more competitive than whatever happens at 11:30 a.m. However, I am thankful for Thomas Brown and the confidence and freedom he has brought back to Caleb Williams and the rest of the offense. We’ll see if his title is still offensive coordinator by Friday afternoon.

Stephen Nicholas (7-4) | Bears 16, Lions 14

How fun would it be for history to repeat itself? The last time the Bears had a 5-game losing streak heading into Thanksgiving was 2021. They played on Thanksgiving that year…against the Lions. And they ended their losing streak that day with a 16-14 win. DJ Moore finds the endzone. He’s torched the Lions in his career to the tune of 106.2 ypg and 4 TDs. He’s not stopping now!

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