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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
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Last week, the Bears ended a five-game skid with a dominating road win over the Bengals. Although the Lions have been wildly inconsistent, the Bears' new-look offense will not carry over in the division. Grab the Lions.
The most dominant performance in the league last week was by -- wait for it -- Da Bears. Chicago choked the Bengals to end a prolonged slump. If the slightest momentum is carried over, the Bears can win this outright. Already, Lions OT Rick Wagner (ankle) and C Travis Swanson (concussion) have been scratched. With other O-linemen questionable, they could be missing the majority of starters up front. Chicago’s defense pressured QB Matthew Stafford during last month’s meeting, and he could be a sitting duck. Though the Bears lost by a field goal, they gained more yardage. Detroit has covered once in its past five home gigs, and the Bears, who are healthier, have neglected to cover just once in the last half-dozen series games.
The Lions are dealing with cluster injuries to the offensive line, and considering they don't have a running game in the first place, it's going to be near impossible for them to chew up the clock if they have a second half lead. The Chicago passing attack was clicking last week, and while some of the credit for that goes to a decimated Bengals defense, Mitchell Trubisky had what was easily his best performance of the season. Every game these teams have played against each other the last three years has finished with a three- or four-point margin. The Lions aren't good enough to expect anything different here.
The average Bears' score this season has been 17-21, which has kept nine of their 13 games Under the total. One of their four Overs, and last Over, came against the Lions at Soldier Field five weeks ago. It shouldn't come as a surprise because the Lions are the best Over team (9-4) in the NFL. Look for another Lions' high scoring game due to their No. 27-ranked defense. Over is the top play here.
The Bears have finally figured out their winning offensive recipe and that's spreading the ball around to young talents. The Lions haven't been quite the offensive threat they were earlier in the season. They are also struggling getting to the QB. That should make life a lot easier for rookie Mitch Trubisky. Take the points.
The Bears outgained the Lions in the first meeting, a 27-24 Detroit win, recording 25 first downs to Detroit's 20. It was the fifth time in the past nine meetings that Bears-Lions was decided by a field goal or less. Chicago will run the ball effectively against a Detroit defense that just got gashed by Tampa Bay for 4.8 yards per carry. Mitch Trubisky should build off his confident performance at Cincy. Take the points.