We have this divisional rivalry game in the NFL scheduled for Sunday, January 1, and here you can get the best Bears vs. Lions betting pick and odds.

Chicago is hoping to avoid the ninth consecutive defeat when they visit Detroit at Ford Field. The Lions are 6-point favorites on Bovada Sportsbook, while the total is set at 52 points. These NFC North foes have met once this year, and the Lions edged the Bears 31-30 in Chicago.

Bears remained at the bottom of the NFC

The Chicago Bears (3-12-0, 5-9-1 ATS) are still at the bottom of the NFC after suffering the eighth straight loss. This time around, they were dismantled 35-13 by the Buffalo Bills at home and it was a fully deserved defeat. The Bears did have a 10-6 lead at halftime, but the Bills’ defense was dominant in the second 30 minutes and kept the hosts off the end zone. Buffalo was better in total yards (426-209) and first downs (20-11).

Justin Fields completed 15 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Dante Pettis caught that lone TD pass from Fields, while Velus Jones Jr. led the Bears with 52 yards on two receptions. David Montgomery added 62 rushing yards on 16 carries, but Fields was completely stopped by the Bills’ sturdy D. On defense, Nicholas Morrow had a team-high eight tackles.

WR Darnell Mooney (ankle), CB Jaylon Johnson (ribs), and LB Matthew Adams (calf) are out indefinitely. C Cody Whitehair (undisclosed), WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion), WR Chase Claypool (knee), and T Teven Jenkins (neck) are questionable to face Detroit on Sunday.

Lions couldn’t make it four in a row

The Detroit Lions (7-8-0, 10-5-0 ATS) had a chance to record their fourth win in a row for the first time this season, but the Carolina Panthers had other plans. The Lions succumbed to a 37-23 defeat on the road as the Panthers displayed their best offensive performance of the campaign to keep their playoff hopes alive. Carolina dominated total yards (570-381), first downs (30-22), and possession (35:13-24:47) to secure a deserved W.

Jared Goff completed 25 of 42 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Shane Zylstra was on the receiving end of each TD pass from Goff and registered the first multi-touchdown game of his career. DJ Chark led all the receivers with 108 yards on four catches, while Amon-Ra St. Brown chipped in 76 yards on seven receptions. Detroit was ineffective on the ground as the Lions collected just 45 yards on 17 carries. Defensively, Ifeatu Melifonwu posted a game-high eight tackles.

WR Quintez Cephus is on the Injured Reserve/Designated for Return list with a foot issue, and it is unknown if he will lace up against the Bears on Sunday.

Trends:

Chicago:

  • 1-5 ATS in the last six games overall
  • 2-6 ATS in the last eight road games
  • 1-8 ATS in the last nine vs. NFC North opponents

Detroit:

  • 7-1 ATS in the last eight games overall
  • 4-0 ATS in the last four home games
  • 8-0 ATS in the last eight vs. NFC North rivals

Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions Pick

The Lions are still alive in the playoff hunt and I am backing them to get a win against the disappointing Bears, who are playing without an imperative here. Of course, it’s always nice to beat your divisional foe and prevent them from making playoffs, but that is not going to happen on Sunday. Both teams were criminally bad defenses, but the Lions’ offense is averaging 26.1 points per game (5th in the NFL), and I am going with Detroit’s offense to prevail and outscore the visitors here. Detroit scored at least 20 points in each of its last seven games, and I believe even 20 will be enough to beat Chicago.

Pick: Take the Lions at -4.5 (-130)

The Total

The Bears did fail to score more than 20 points in their previous four games, but they do play against the weakest D in the NFL that allows 26.7 points per contest. I think Chicago can score 24-27 points here and contribute enough to make a high-scoring tilt out of this game. On the other hand, the Lions shouldn’t have problems scoring multiple touchdowns and 25+ points. Over is 8-1 in the Bears’ last nine games overall; Over is 5-0 in Chicago’s previous five road games, while Over is 5-1 in the Lions’ last six vs. NFC North rivals.

Pick: Go Over 50.5 points (-133)