Bears vs. Lions betting odds, spread, over/under and prediction | Week 13

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a little NFC North action, and that’s exactly what we have in store to kickoff the holiday weekend. Just as the last balloons are crossing the finish line in the Macy’s Day Parade, the NFL takes the Turkey Day stage with a battle of age old rivals from Ford Field. It’s the slumping Chicago Bears looking to stop the bleeding against the Detroit Lions who have looked like the best team in the league over the last few months.

Matchup: Bears vs. Lions

The 4-7 Bears came into this season with a rare sense of optimism after drafting rookie QB Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. The team, which got the top pick from Carolina, had an average season last year, but had built a team around Williams that was ready to compete now. Four wins in their first six had Bears fans buzzing in the Windy City but a Hail Mary against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders sparked a slump that has cost people their jobs and could cost more people their jobs if the Bears can’t turn things around. Five straight losses have sunk the Bears to the bottom of the NFC North and but them on the brink of elimination for a Wild Card spot. They have one of the toughest closing schedules in the league, including two match ups with the Detroit Lions. The first one is this week and if they want to keep their slim playoff chances alive they are going to have to start by stunning the Lions on Thanksgiving.

Detroit has been the best team in the league all season. Even when the Chiefs were strolling around as the only remaining undefeated team in the league, the 10-1 Lions were playing much better than than defending champions. The defense was carrying the Lions for the first few weeks of the season, but Jared Goff and the Lions offense ignited in Week 4, and haven’t simmered since then. In those eight games, they are scoring 37.25 points per game with the most balanced attack of run and passing game in the league. Goff is the most accurate passer in the game while Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have combined for 1,500 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the ground. They are at the top of the NFC, and are looking to keep their cushion over the two-loss Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles. Division match ups are always tricky, especially on a short week, but the Lions have shown they nothing phases them. They will be looking to win the early game and enjoy the rest of their long weekend before focusing on final stretch of the season.

These two historic teams go wayyyy back. The rivalry which started in 1930 outdates the NFL by three decades, and it hasn’t always been the Chicago Bears against the Detroit Lions. Before the Lions were in Detroit they were the Portsmouth Spartans, but the franchise moved to Detroit and changed their name to the Lions in 1934. The Bears lead the all time series, 105-78-5 and have won six of the last four games against the Lions including last year’s 28-13 win last December in Chicago.

Odds, Spread and Over/Under

The Lions are rolling and the Bears have spurttered through the middle patch of the season. That’s why the Lions are a double digit favorite on a short week from Ford Field. Detroit is a 10.5 point favorite and the Over/Under is set at 48.5.

Prediction

Listen, I know the Lions are a much better team than the Chicago Bears, but some things you just can’t explain. The Bears are going to keep this game close just like they did against the two-loss Vikings last week. It’s a division game on a short week, and the entire nation will be watching. That’s not to say the Bears are going to shock the Lions and beat them in Detroit, but I think they keep it close.

Lions win 23-19.