Game Preview: Bears @ Lions

NFC North games are always brutal, but the Detroit Lions have more to play for than just pride. They are still fighting for a spot in the playoffs but the Bears will be trying to keep that from happening.

The Lions offense always runs through Matthew Stafford and his talented receivers such as Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr., and Eric Ebron. The Bears defense has been playing as good as anyone and was able to hold A.J. Green to under 100 yards at their home in Cincinnati. Kyle Fuller, in particular, has been having one of the best seasons of his career. Fuller joined Charles Tillman as the only Bears defenders to record 15+ passes defended and 60+ plus tackles through Week 14 of a season.

Mitchell Trubisky definitely proved that when they let him out of the cage and spread his wings he can not only manage a game, but he can produce points and move the chains. As a Bears fan, you definitely know the Bears have not had a quarterback of this caliber since the 80’s. Matter of fact, Trubisky is the first Bears rookie quarterback to pass and run for a touchdown in the same game since Jim McMahon accomplished the feat in 1982.

Of course, the Bears can’t have a productive passing game without a solid running game and it doesn’t get more solid than Jordan Howard. Ryan Pace’s track record of drafting young talent is outstanding. Howard is the first Bears running back to start their career with back to back 1,000+ yard rushing seasons. This year alone the Bears rookies account for 15 out of the Bears 26 touchdowns. The Lions have ranked 27th in overall.defense while the Bears are ranked in the top 15 overall.

The Bears offense has rushed for 222 yards for four times now after last week. If Howard and Trubisky can continue to perform at a high level and the defense can limit the Lions offense then the Bears have a chance to win this game in Detroit in the dome. Vegas has the Lions only as a five-point favorite. Keep in mind that this game is on Saturday and not Sunday so do not miss this one!

SCORE PREDICTION:
Bears- 27 (OT)
Lions- 24