Chicago (7-3) at Detroit (4-6)
When: Thursday, November 22nd 2018
Where: Ford Field,
Detroit, Michigan
Time: 12:30 ET | TV: CBS
Opening Odds: Chicago -3/45
The Chicago Bears are coming off one of their biggest wins in years late Sunday night, and now must quickly turn their focus to a Thursday afternoon contest with the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Chicago increased their lead in the NFC North to a game and a half with a hard-fought 25-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings to give them back-to-back division wins for the first time in six years. The defense allowed just 268 yards and forced three turnovers including an Eddie Jackson interception return for a touchdown. The Lions ended a three-game losing streak with a 20-19 home win over Carolina after Panthers’ coach Ron Rivera opted to try a 2-point conversion with a minute to go. Already without wide receiver Golden Tate (traded), now Marvin Jones Jr., who missed Sunday’s game with a knee injury, isn’t likely to be ready on short rest. These teams played just two weeks ago in Chicago, with the Bears winning 34-22 after holding a 26-0 lead. Mitchell Trubisky threw for a career-high 355 yards, three touchdowns and also rushed for a score. Chicago kicker Cody Parkey missed two PATs and two field goals or the score could have been much worse. The Bears are 17-15-2 all-time on Thanksgiving having last played on the holiday in 2015 and won 17-13 at Green Bay. Chicago is 3-1-1 ATS in the past five meetings with the Lions.
Trubisky did not practice on Tuesday, after injuring his throwing shoulder on a late hit in the win over Minnesota Sunday and is questionable for Thursday’s contest in Detroit. Veteran backup Chase Daniel would get the start if Trubisky can’t go and has spent time under head coach Matt Nagy when they both were in Kansas City. The 32-year old hasn’t started a game since the 2014 season. Wide receiver Allen Robinson hauled in six balls for 133 yards and two touchdowns versus the Vikings while fellow wideout Anthony Miller has scored in consecutive games. Running back Jordan Howard was held to just 21 yards on 11 carries against the Lions’ 24th-ranked rush defense two weeks ago.
The Lions have a big injury concern of their own as running back Kerryon Johnson sustained a knee injury in last week’s game against the Panthers that has prevented the rookie from practicing this week. Coach Matt Patricia likely will use all options available to him, with LeGarrette Blount, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner expected to handle specific tasks out of the backfield. Matthew Stafford has thrown for less than 220 yards in two of his last three games and faces a Bears defense that leads the NFL with 18 interceptions. Wideout Kenny Golladay set a season high in catches (eight) for 113 yards versus the Panthers last week.
As I post this article on Tuesday night, Trubisky is listed as questionable and the line is now down to Bears -3. I don’t care who the quarterback is because this Bears defense can win games by themselves. Daniel will feel comfortable under center having spent time with Nagy over the last few years and the coach won’t ask him to do much. Look for Howard to have a big game running the ball if Trubisky can’t go.
Pick: Bears -3
Betting Trends:
- Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC North.
- Bears are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
- Bears are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC.
- Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Bears are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games in November.
- Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
- Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Bears are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
- Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Lions are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games in November.
- Lions are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
- Lions are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
- Lions are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NFC.
- Lions are 4-10 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Lions are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games in Week 12.
- Lions are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 5-0 in Bears last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games on fieldturf.
- Over is 4-0 in Bears last 4 games following a ATS win.
- Over is 6-1 in Bears last 7 games overall.
- Over is 6-1 in Bears last 7 games in November.
- Under is 17-5 in Bears last 22 games in Week 12.
- Under is 6-2 in Bears last 8 vs. a team with a losing record.
- Over is 12-4 in Bears last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Over is 8-3 in Bears last 11 vs. NFC North.
- Over is 6-1 in Lions last 7 Thursday games.
- Over is 5-1 in Lions last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-1 in Lions last 5 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 7-2 in Lions last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 6-2 in Lions last 8 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Over is 6-2 in Lions last 8 vs. NFC North.
- Over is 5-2 in Lions last 7 games in November.
- Over is 7-3 in Lions last 10 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Over is 7-3 in Lions last 10 games following a straight up win.
- Bears are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
- Home team is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
- Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Detroit.
