Sunday, December 6, 2020, Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, 1 p.m. ET
Lions at Bears Betting Preview: Lions (+3/-110), Bears (-3/-110)
Detroit Lions
The Lions (4-7) will play their first game since the firing of head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. The interim coach is Darrell Bevell, an 18-year assistant in the league who most recently served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator.
The Lions have lost two in a row and four of five. They went only 13-29-1 under Patricia, but Bevell hopes that he can give the team a boost during his five-game audition to get the top job.
Matthew Stafford has endured an up-and-down season but has capable weapons such as wide receiver Marvin Jones and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Stafford will look to end a five-game losing streak against the division-rival Bears.
Chicago Bears
The Bears (5-6) also face hard questions about their future amid a five-game losing streak. Should ownership stick with general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy or turn a different direction heading into 2021? That remains to be seen.
A strong finish to this season can only help things going forward. The Bears have not won since Oct. 18, but they enter Week 13 as favorites against the Lions, whom they have beaten in five straight games.
Chicago’s defense has led the way throughout the season but is coming off of one of its worst efforts in a loss to Green Bay. Look for the defense to regroup as the Bears look to climb back to .500.
Lions at Bears Betting Pick for Week 13
Both teams have warts, and it is likely that both of these clubs head into a long offseason rather than making the playoffs. But Bevell and Nagy each have a lot on the line over the final few weeks of the 2020 regular season.
Could the Lions’ coaching change give the team a short-term boost? Maybe. Could Nagy’s challenge for his players to work harder result in an angry, better roster for the short term? Maybe.
Bottom line: This should be a close game. It usually is, and given Chicago’s superior talent on defense, look for the Bears to squeak past the Lions.
Lions at Bears Betting Pick:
Bears 23, Lions 17
Lions at Bears Best Bet for Week 13
The Bears’ defense was embarrassed against Green Bay a week ago and will look to regroup. Meanwhile, the Lions could be motivated after a coaching change in which their leader, Patricia, was sent packing. Toss in some cold weather along the Chicago lakefront, and it stands to reason that points could be at a premium come Sunday afternoon.
Lions at Bears Best Bet: UNDER 44 total points (-110)
