Week 14 of the NFL season has some interesting matchups taking place throughout the weekend. The Detroit Lions are set to visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon for a big matchup between NFC North Division rivals.
Detroit is coming into this game with a record of 9-3, and they are currently in complete control of the divisional race in the NFC North. The Lions have won four of their last five games, but they did have a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.
The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another lost season as they have gone just 4-8 through their first 12 games. Chicago has won two of their last three games, and they nearly pulled off an upset win at Detroit just a few weeks ago.
The Detroit Lions come into this game as a 3.5-point betting favorite over the Chicago Bears.
Detroit Needs to Defend
This Lions team has shown the ability to be nearly unstoppable on offense this season, but that’s not the only way to win a football game. The best teams are able to dominate both sides of the ball, but Detroit is allowing 23.8 points per game.
The secondary for the Lions is going to have to play better for this team to win games, as the Lions are currently allowing 229.3 passing yards per game. Detroit will be facing a struggling Bears offense in this game, and they could put up a low number.
Jared Goff is having a monster season for the Lions on offense and this team is averaging 27.3 points per game. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown should have a big role in this one, and he has racked up 1,042 receiving yards this season.
Bears Still Struggle to Score
The Chicago Bears are scoring just 20.2 points per game this season, and that number has actually improved of late. Chicago has been able to run the football well, but at some point they have to make plays in the passing game.
Justin Fields is completing just 64.4 percent of his passes, and the Bears don’t normally take shots down the field. Wide receiver D.J. Moore has been playing great football this season as he has 70 receptions for 1,003 receiving yards.
Chicago has given up some huge plays on defense as well, and that defensive line has struggled to pressure the quarterback. That’s going to be something that has to improve as the season moves along.
Detroit Dominates Chicago
The Chicago Bears have actually been playing much better over the last few weekends, but they still have some serious flaws. Chicago might be able to score a few touchdowns in this game, but that defense will also get torched.
Jared Goff and the Lions are going to have a big day in the passing game on Sunday, and they will eventually pull away from the Bears. That defense still has some work to do, but that unit isn’t going to hold them back in Week 14.
Bet on the Detroit Lions -3.5 as they are going to pick up a dominant win over the Bears in Chicago in Week 14.
