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Expert Picks
The tailspin season for the Bears has spun out of control with five straight losses. A defense that was a catalyst for wins early in the campaign has worn down. There will be opportunities for their offense in this one, as Detroit has allowed an average of 33 points over its last five games. Take the Bears.
Absolutely buy this down to Chicago -2.5. I'm a Bears fan and frankly want them to lose out, clean house and get a better draft pick. Alas, I really don't think they lose this one at home. Mitchell Trubisky has owned the Lions in his otherwise awful career (see news feed story on his future) and Chicago is pretty healthy, while the Lions will be without Kenny Golladay and Jeff Okudah again (probably D'Andre Swift too) and even Matthew Stafford is questionable. He'll play but hasn't been good since injuring that thumb. Detroit has lost nine straight NFC North games and is 3-8 ATS in its past 11 on the road. Even the "interim coach kick" won't help Sunday. Again, though, get off that number of 3 if possible.
Yes, the Bears have the much better defense. And yes, their defense will keep them in every game play. Unfortunately, you need points to win, and I can trust the Lions offensive weaponry and QB to make that a reality in this game, more so than the Bears' Mitchell Trubisky.
Mitchell Trubisky has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his last four starts versus the Lions. Detroit is extremely banged up at cornerback, which means Allen Robinson should have a monster day. With Kenny Golladay likely out again, the Lions' offense isn't the same. Lay the field goal.
The Bears aren't nearly as bad as they looked during a 41-25 loss to the Packers last week, but that doesn't mean they're good, either. They're merely below average, and I am not shy about fading below-average teams when they're favored against anybody. Even if anybody is a Detroit Lions team that just fired its coach. Based on the reaction to the news from some former Lions, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of players in that Detroit locker room are happy about the decision, and we could see that new coach bounce in Chicago this weekend. If the Bears are without Akiem Hicks this weekend, I'd strongly consider taking the Lions straight up, as he's that important.
Detroit is a bad team that got shut out by Carolina, then blown out at home by Houston. Mitchell Trubisky wasn't all that bad in Chicago's loss to Green Bay. He played well in the second half, and he has a very strong track record (4-0) versus Detroit. Lay the field goal.