Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions Preview, Prediction, Picks & Odds - 11/25/2021

by Chuck Sommers

Tuesday, Nov 23, 2021
Game time: 12:30 p.m. ET, November 25, 2021
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to watch: FOX

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Bears -3.5
BetMGM: Bears -3.5
Caesars: Bears -3.5

Season record
Bears: 3-7 (3rd place, NFC North)
Lions: 0-9-1 (Last place, NFC North)

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Bears - Lions preview and analysis


Last week
Bears: lost 16-13 vs. Ravens
Lions: lost 13-10 at Browns

Petition to make future Detroit Lions' games on Thanksgiving be the nightcap so everyone will be asleep by then.

The winless Lions will continue their Thanksgiving tradition and try to win their first game of the season when they host the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

Despite being the team on the block that has a tie rather than a win, the Lions have been a very strong opponent in the first year under head coach Dan Campbell. The Lions are 6-4 against the spread this season with five games decided by one possession.

But when it comes to the field, the Lions just haven't been good. They're coming off a 3-point loss the Cleveland Browns on Sunday where Tim Boyle got his first NFL start going 15 of 23 for 77 yards and two interceptions.

Jared Goff did not play after injuring his oblique muscle the week prior in that 16-16 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Nobody likes to lose," said Lions running back D'Andre Swift, who finished with a career-high 136 yards. "We want to win, so it's frustrating."

Swift was the lone bright spot last week on the Lions offense. He's only one of two running backs, along with Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers, to have at least 500 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards. Given the fact Goff is unlikely to go on Thursday, Boyle is likely to see more snaps.

Considering the fact the Lions are going against a Bears defense that just got done feasting on a young quarterback, Chicago is likely chomping at the bits.

The Bears are coming off a 3-point loss to the Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens. Tyler Huntley, the second-year signal caller out of Utah, threw for 219 yards and ran for 40 more.

Chicago, meanwhile can't catch a break when it comes to its quarterbacks. Justin Fields left the game with injured ribs in the third quarter and was replaced by Andy Dalton. The veteran threw for 203 yards and a go-ahead 49-yard touchdown to Marquise Goodwin. The Ravens went 72 yards in five plays on the ensuing drive for the winning score.

Dalton will in fact get the start once again, via NFL Network.

"I prepare the same way I've prepared this whole year. So if I'm starting I'll be ready to go," he said.

But the Bears, without Khalil Mack for the rest of the season, found a way to get to Huntley on Sunday. Robert Quinn had 3.5 sacks on the day, a career-high for the former Rams pass rusher, and Roquan Smith had a career-high 17 tackles against the Ravens. Even if it's not the Monsters of the Midway, they're still a defense that can make life hell for opposing quarterbacks.

Condolences ahead of time to Mr. Boyle.

Prediction


The Bears have covered in five of the last seven meetings and have won six of the last seven outright. There's clearly a talent gap and it mostly involves Chicago's defense against Detroit's inability to move the ball for a number of years. The Bears, no matter is at quarterback, seems like a better option than Boyle. Bears by 14

Betting trends


The Bears are 1-6 ATS in their last seven against conference opponents.

The Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last five overall.

The under is 7-1 in the Lions’ last eight games.

The Lions are 4-0 ATS after scoring less than 15 points the previous week.

Players to watch


Bears: If the offense is to get going, it’ll have to be with Allen Robinson being involved. The receiver has at least five receptions and 70 yards in four of his last five games against the Lions.

Lions: Tight end T.J. Hockenson leads all NFC tight ends with 54 receptions. He had six receptions in the last Thanksgiving meeting. 

Statistical leaders


Bears:
Passing: Justin Fields -- 1,361 yards, 4 TD, 8 INT
Rushing: David Montgomery -- 430 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Darnell Mooney -- 571 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Robert Quinn -- 10 sacks

Lions:
Passing: Jared Goff -- 2,109 yards, 8 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: D’Andre Swift -- 555 yards, 4 TD
Receiving: T.J. Hockenson -- 499 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Amani Oruwariye -- 4 INT

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Chicago Bears - Detroit Lions prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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