The Chicago Bears probably should’ve beaten the Detroit Lions the last time the two teams met.
Up 12 points with under five minutes to play, the Bears instead collapsed and let Dan Campbell’s crew walk away from Ford Field with a last-minute victory.
Can the Bears get their revenge just three short weeks later? That remains to be seen, though Justin Field and Co. have the advantage of an extended rest as they’re coming off a bye week. They’ll enter this game with a 4-8 record while the Lions sit atop the NFC North with a 9-3 mark.
Here’s how we see this one shaking out …
Adam Hoge (6-6) — Bears 23, Lions 17
These two teams are trending in opposite directions right now and the Bears will have revenge on their mind Sunday at Soldier Field. Have the Lions already peaked this season? I think it’s a fair question. Regardless, this should be another close game and I don’t expect the Bears to give it away again. The Lions haven’t played a true outdoor game since Oct. 22 at Baltimore (I’m not counting Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles). That also happens to be the coldest game they’ve played this season — at 62 degrees. It’s going to be in the 30s and windy at Soldier Field Sunday. Yes, I’m a believer that “Bear Weather” is mostly a myth, but I’ve also acknowledged a couple times when it has helped the Bears win. One of those times was against Jared Goff when he was with the Rams in 2018.
Nicholas Moreano (5-7) — Bears 24, Lions 20
For my last prediction against the Vikings, I wrote that I wouldn’t pick the Bears until “they prove they can finish a game.” Well, the Bears finished against the Vikings, and now I’m taking Chicago in this second matchup with Detroit. The Lions love attacking the middle of the field, and the Bears did a relatively good job of defending the Lions’ passing attack in the first game. That needs to happen again for the Bears to be successful and be more technically sound during two-minute drives. Also, this game should be an opportunity for Fields to show his dual-threat capabilities. The Bears don’t just start a two-game win streak, but a two-game win streak against NFC North opponents.
Will DeWitt (6-6) — Lions 23, Bears 21
I swear it feels like there’s a devil on one shoulder and an angel. One is saying to choose the Bears. The other says the Lions. Now, which is which is up to you. Even though Detroit has been in one-score games every single week since their bye, and the Bears let them off the hook a few weeks ago, I’m personally going to remain in “wait and see” mode when it comes to the Bears’ ability to beat a team like Detroit. Winning two games in a row, let alone back-to-back wins in the division feels like a tall order. If the Bears Defense can pressure Jared Goff and force him into mistakes like last time, and the offense does a better job of making the most of those, then perhaps the Bears will win. I suspect this one will be close and come down to the wire, too. It’ll depend on which team makes the better adjustments between meetings, and during the game itself, which is why I’ll lean towards the Lions this week.
Greg Braggs Jr. (8-4) — Lions 24, Bears 20
My biggest problem with the Bears this season has been adjustments. Or lack thereof. I’m confident the Lions will make the proper adjustments after the Bears took them by surprise for 58 minutes in Detroit. But will Chicago be ready for the counter punch? I’m not so confident with that. Should be cold, which plays a factor in the Bears favor and the defense has been playing well but it feels like the Bears haven’t played in forever since the bye week and the Lions are battle tested. Flus falls short of back to back wins once again.
Corey Wootton (6-6) — Bears 21, Lions 17
Grind em out game. Bears have historically had Jared Goff’s number even back to his Rams days. Defense is hitting its stride. Offensively have the same game plan as last time, but finish the game and control the clock!
Mark Carman (7-5) — Lions 23, Bears 20
Detroit makes more adjustments than the Bears do and hold the Luke Getsy game plan down. Bears keep it interesting but come up short down the stretch.
Kevin Kaduk (7-5) — Bears 20, Lions 19
The Bears have already proven they can hang with the Lions. To win this one, they’ll also need to prove they can put together a good gameplan off an extended break and win two straight games, something they’ve never done under Matt Eberflus. I think they finally get it done, though, kicking off one of the most interesting months we’ll ever see in Bears football.
Jake Flannigan (4-8) — Bears 31, Lions 28
The winning ways continue for a team of destiny?
