NFL Betting Preview: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

The Detroit Lions will move on in their divisional schedule in week 10, when they visit Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.  Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Sunday. The Lions are coming off of what can only be described as a pathetic 24-9 loss against the Vikings in week 9.  And now, while the Vikings get a bye week, the Lions have to play in Chicago. The Vikings got to Stafford 10 times during the game. He looked uncomfortable in the pocket all game long, which made him make mistakes.

None of these mistakes were more glaring than a play in which he was flushed out to his right side, he scrambled and, instead of getting out of bounds, tried to pitch the ball behind him to Kerryon Johnson (Who would have still gotten nowhere), but instead, the ball went through the unsuspecting Cook’s hands and was returned by the Vikings for a touchdown.  So, constant pressure from the Vikings defensive front made a Quarterback turn his own play from a short gain or no gain to a defensive touchdown. The Lions will need to do something about their offensive line before the Chicago game.

The Bears had an opposite outcome in their game against the Bills.  Granted, it was against a team on its third-string Quarterback, but their defense looked great.  They got to Nathan Peterman 4 times in the game, despite a surprisingly effective offensive line effort from Buffalo.  LeSean McCoy was essentially shut down, rushing 10 times for 10 yards and catching 4 passes for 19 yards.

It was an overall great performance from a defense that was missing Khalil Mack.  They also turned Buffalo over a lot, grabbing three interceptions (1 for a touchdown) and forcing several fumbles, one of which was also returned for a touchdown.  The Bears offense wasn’t great, but it was good enough. Trubisky threw for 135 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. Jordan Howard ran very well, getting into the endzone twice.  The Bears are -7 in this game.

My opinion regarding this game is that is is essentially Detroit’s offense vs. Chicago’s defense.  Mitchell Trubisky won’t likely come out and perform like he did against Tampa Bay. Without Golden Tate, the Lions lack a safety valve after the trade of Golden Tate, so Stafford has to hold onto the ball more.  This led to a bunch of sack against the Vikings, and that should continue against a Bears defensive front that is arguably as good or better than that of the Vikings. Chicago will get a look at man coverage against the Lions, so Trubisky will have a chance to make some plays.  Detroit will put their best coverage on players like Allen Robinson (If he is healthy), Taylor Gabriel, and Trey Burton.  This being said, look for big production out of rookie Anthony Miller and running backs Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard.  Also, Trubisky could be a dark horse rushing threat, as the Lions struggled to keep Russell Wilson in the pocket earlier this season.

For the Lions’ offense to move the ball, they will have to find a way to get running back Kerryon Johnson going.  He thrives on big play off-tackle runs, something that the Bears just don’t give up.  They still have not given up a rushing touchdown to a running back, and only one overall (A garbage time 1 yard sneak by Peterman last week).

Simply put: the Lions had no answer to the Vikings pass rush, and the Bears have had a consistently better pass rush than the Vikings throughout this season.  With or without Khalil Mack, the Bears will make Stafford uncomfortable all day long. They should force some turnovers, shut down Kerryon Johnson, and win this game by at least two touchdowns (Especially with the improvement of Mitchell Trubisky).  Bet on the Chicago Bears at -7.