Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Detroit Lions have dropped four of their last six away games against the Chicago Bears and could be in a precarious situation as they head to Chicago on Sunday, despite holding the top spot in the NFC.
This is due to the fact that Detroit (12-2) is no stranger to injuries, even with their impressive record, while Chicago has been dealing with a string of injuries for months without a win.
Last week, in a home loss to the Buffalo Bills, Lions running back David Montgomery (sprained MCL) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (torn ACL) suffered knee injuries that will likely end their season. Additionally, cornerback Carlton Davis III fractured his jaw and is out indefinitely.
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Montgomery is reportedly seeking a third opinion on his knee injury and is currently on the Week 16 injury report, but has not yet been placed on injured reserve.
Despite these setbacks, coach Dan Campbell believes that the Lions should not be given any sympathy, especially as they control their own path to securing the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
"Nobody is going to give us a pass or put an asterisk next to our record," Campbell stated. "This just means that some players will have a great opportunity to step up."
Detroit's 11-game winning streak came to an end with a 48-42 loss to Buffalo, but they are still on track to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the conference playoffs. They are currently tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and division rival Minnesota Vikings, but can secure the top seed with wins against the struggling Bears (4-10), San Francisco 49ers (6-8), and the Vikings in their final regular season games.
"There is still a lot of football left, and we are looking forward to it," Campbell said. "We just have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back to work."
Chicago, on the other hand, is returning home after an eight-game losing streak. This includes a 23-20 loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus the following day.
Under interim head coach Thomas Brown, the Bears have suffered two lopsided losses on the road against the San Francisco 49ers (38-13) and the Minnesota Vikings (30-12). They have been outscored 53-0 in the first half of their last three games.
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Brown has promised that the team will continue to fight and support each other, but the Bears are running out of chances to prove their resilience.
"Of course, the players have a responsibility to make plays, and I know that nobody is purposely not trying to make plays," cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. "Everyone's goal is to be the best and make plays, but it just hasn't been going our way."
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, remains determined to continue his development despite the team's struggles. Against the Vikings, the Bears were only able to convert 1 out of 12 third downs and have struggled with protection all season, allowing 58 sacks (tied with the Cleveland Browns for most in the NFL). Even with potential injuries on the Lions' offensive line, protecting Williams will be a top concern for Chicago.
Left tackle Braxton Jones (concussion), left guard Teven Jenkins (calf), and offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion) all missed practice on Wednesday for the Bears.
"You have to motivate yourself, encourage yourself, and have positive affirmations that you say to yourself," Williams shared. "This makes the tough days a little easier instead of bringing yourself down and telling yourself negative things."
Detroit has won four of their last five games against Chicago, with three of those games being decided by five points or less.
The Lions currently lead the NFL with an average of 32.8 points per game. Quarterback Jared Goff tied a career-high with five touchdown passes in their last game against Buffalo. Rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown had an impressive 14 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown, while Jahmyr Gibbs contributed with both rushing and receiving touchdowns.
For the Lions, safety Brian Branch (calf) and left guard Graham Glasgow (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Recap DEC 22TH 2024
Jared Goff passed for 336 yards and three touchdowns and Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 109 yards and a score to boost the visiting Detroit Lions to a 34-17 victory against the skidding Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Detroit (13-2) stayed atop the NFC standings and established a franchise record for victories while outgaining Chicago 475-382.
The Bears (4-11) lost their ninth in a row despite Caleb Williams' 334 passing yards and two touchdowns. Williams also was the team's leading rusher with 34 yards on six carries.
Lions receiver Jameson Williams had five catches for 143 yards and a score while Keenan Allen led Chicago with nine catches for 141 yards and a TD.
Detroit scored the first 20 points of the game, including 10 that capitalized off Chicago turnovers.
Ahead 3-0 on Jake Bates' 30-yard field goal on Detroit's first possession of the game, the Lions took advantage of a short field after Williams fumbled. Gibbs capped a seven-play, 36-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Rome Odunze fumbled on the next possession after a catch and run that took the ball into Lions territory. Detroit responded with Bates' 34-yard field goal, and after forcing a Bears punt drove 93 yards in two plays and 43 seconds to make it 20-0.
Goff connected with Jameson Williams for an 82-yard scoring pass, lofting the ball over the Chicago secondary as the receiver raced the final 35 yards to the end zone.
Chicago began to find its offensive rhythm after that, sandwiching touchdown passes to Cole Kmet and Allen around an 8-yard connection between Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Bates narrowly missed a 65-yard field goal attempt as time expired on the second quarter, sending the Lions into halftime with a 27-14 lead.
Detroit extended the advantage back to 20 points with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Sam LaPorta early in the third quarter. The Bears drew within the final margin on a 30-yard Cairo Santos field goal with 6:03 left in the third.
Caleb Williams surpassed 3,000 yards passing during the game, becoming the first Bears rookie quarterback to accomplish the feat.
Bears left tackle Braxton Jones was carted off the field after injuring his left ankle in the second quarter.
Jones gave a thumbs-up to the crowd after trainers helped stabilize his ankle and help him onto the cart. Jones was in pass protection when Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike appeared to fall on Jones' right leg.