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The Detroit Lions (12-2) visit the Chicago Bears (4-10) Sunday during NFL Week 16 action. Kickoff from Soldier Field is slated for 1 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Lions vs. Bears odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
Detroit saw its 11-game win streak snapped Sunday when the Buffalo Bills won a 48-42 shootout. The Lions still hold the king’s spot in the NFC Playoffs picture, though.
Chicago is on its own ridiculous run, though unfortunately, it’s the other end of the spectrum with an 8-game losing streak. They most recently went into hibernation during a 30-12 loss in Week 15 to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bears almost upset the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day but lost 23-20 on inexcusable clock mismanagement that led to the firing of then-coach Matt Eberflus.
All 4 of the Bears’ wins this year came at Soldier Field, but will they prove able to keep it close with their intradivision rivals again?
Early weather prognoses for this game typically call for temperatures below 30 degrees but cloudy, with no precipitation. Stay tuned for any changes and adjust your betting accordingly based on new information.
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Lions at Bears odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lions -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Bears +280 (bet $100 to win $280)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lions -6.5 (-110) | Bears +6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lions at Bears key injuries
Lions
- S Brian Branch (calf) questionable
- RB David Montgomery (knee) out
Bears
- G Ryan Bates (concussion) out
- G Teven Jenkins (calf) questionable
- CB Jaylon Johnson (illness) questionable
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Lions at Bears picks and predictions
Prediction
Lions 34, Bears 17
Moneyline
The price on Lions ML (-350) has gone up 50 cents since Monday in our first look.
The narrative of Lions QB Jared Goff struggling on the road (and more specifically in outdoor stadiums) hasn’t affected the market’s confidence in Detroit to win straight up.
The Lions have become so heavily favored on the ML that bettors should look elsewhere for more optimal value.
PASS.
Against the spread
On the other hand, the lack of movement on the spread works well for Lions bettors. The Bears are a deeply flawed team, and while division games often bring out odd results in favor of underdogs, the Lions are simply better built on both sides of the ball.
Take advantage of the early optimism that the Bears shouldn’t be getting more than 6.5 points, and bet the other side.
All things equal, I would recommend waiting to see if any action moves in Chicago’s direction, then pounce on any Detroit discount. However, if you must act, the TD-with-a-hook points are worth giving to the favorites.
BET LIONS -6.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Bears QB Caleb Williams doesn’t have to do much to carry Chicago’s likely end of this point total. Though Detroit’s injury-riddled defense looks ripe for the picking, Chicago’s own defense will struggle to keep up with the Lions’ high-octane offense.
With the weather not looking like an issue as of publish time, I would even look to squeeze more value out of this with an alternate line on FanDuel Sportsbook: Over 50.5 (+120).
BET OVER 48 (-110) at BetMGM or BET OVER 50.5 (+120) at FanDuel.
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