KENNETH DAVIS

The Lions snatched a victory away from the Bears several weeks ago. Some would say, the Bears gave that game away. The Bears definitely aided in giving it away, but I think it was more of Detroit having confidence that they can turn it on when needed. Perhaps Lions center Frank Ragnow being out will aid the Bears in pressuring Jared Goff, and slowing down the Lions run game like the Bears did for most of the last game versus Detroit. I think the Bears could win this game, but I’m going to go with the Kitties on this one.

Lions: 27, Bears: 21

JOSH SCHROCK

The Bears have never won back-to-back games under head coach Matt Eberflus. They also have yet to beat a team this season that doesn’t have a coach on the hot seat (Frank Reich and Josh McDaniels have been fired and Ron Rivera will soon join them) or is using a backup quarterback (Joshua Dobbs).

Sunday’s game against the Lions is a chance for the Bears to make a statement that the growth they keep talking about is real. The Bears match up well with the Lions from a scheme and personnel standpoint. Chicago has outplayed the Lions in two of their last three matchups but coughed up big fourth quarter leads in both instances.

I think the Bears get over the hump against Dan Campbell’s Lions this time. Quarterback Justin Fields has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his last three games against the Lions. Detroit’s defense has given up an average of 30.25 points per game over the last month and struggled stopping the Bears three weeks ago.

The Bears win the battle in the trenches, Fields shines with his legs, and the Bears move to 5-8.

I already hate this pick.

Bears: 27, Lions: 23

ALEX SHAPIRO

The Bears probably had their best chance to get a win against the NFC North leaders when they shocked the Lions for three and a half quarters in Week 11. The Lions will not be taken by surprise again. They’ll also be armed with the info that helped them beat the Bears down the stretch last month: throw to David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs as an extension of the run game, and attack the middle of the field with Sam LaPorta.

Justin Fields has enjoyed some of the best performances of his career against the Lions, and Detroit’s defense remains susceptible to big plays. There’s no reason to believe the Bears won’t be able to muster more points this Sunday than they did against the Vikings in Week 12. But the Bears aren’t set up to win a shootout, and that’s what could develop at Soldier Field this Sunday.

Lions: 31, Bears: 24

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This will be the toughest game for the Bears since flying out to Los Angeles to play the Chargers at the end of October, and a win would be an instant signature game for head coach Matt Eberflus. The Under Center podcast crew explained why they think the Bears will, or will not, leave Detroit with a W.

KENNETH DAVIS

This is not your father’s Detroit kitties. These guys are Big Cats! The Bears have one of the best rush defenses in the NFL. Now they face one of the best rushing teams, with the best tandem of running backs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, along with one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Add to this offense one of the best play callers in the NFL in Ben Johnson. The Bears play the Lions twice in the next four weeks. I mention this because usually against a division rival, regardless of record, you can find a split when it comes to victories. But the Lions are the best team in the NFC North. Even with the Bears’ improved play it is hard for me to pick them in either game. Justin Fields’ return may be the only way the Bears can upset a heavily favored Lions team.

Lions 31-20

JOSH SCHROCK

Justin Fields’ return should give the Bears a little extra juice heading into their Week 11 tilt with the Detroit Lions. Fields’ return gives the Bears an added element and increased upside against a defense that is ranked ninth in total defense and third in run defense. The best way to attack the Lions’ defense is through the air, so expect a heavy dose of DJ Moore in Detroit. How effective and accurate Fields is with a still-healing right thumb will determine if the Bears are able to hang in this one or get rolled over like their last trip to Detroit.

While Fields’ re-emergence will get most of the attention Sunday, it’s the matchup on the other side of the ball that has my attention. The Bears’ defense is fourth in the NFL in scoring and first in run defense over the last six games. The Lions’ offense ranks in the top five in both rushing and passing. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is coming off an elite performance in which his offense hung 41 on the Los Angeles Chargers. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs form a potent backfield tandem, while Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta give quarterback Jared Goff two dynamic weapons to attack with downfield. The Bears’ defense believes it has found something over the last month. They stymied offenses led by Brian Hoyer and Bryce Young but were blistered by Justin Herbert and the Chargers.

The Lions are an elite offense, and the Bears haven’t shown they can stop those yet.

Lions 31, Bears 20

ALEX SHAPIRO

The Bears have played much better football over the last month than they did over the first month of the season. But you’ve got to consider the competition they’ve faced. Wins against the lowly Panthers and Raiders are important in the quest to not finish as the worst team in football for a second year in a row. They’re not wins that instill confidence that the team can hang with the best in the game, however, and the Lions have proven time and again that they’re one of the best in the league.

On offense, the Lions field an incredibly balanced attack. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are one of the best running back tandems in the league. Each man has made numerous explosive plays throughout the year, and it seems inevitable that at least one of them will have a huge game each and every week. Jared Goff has proven last year was not a fluke and has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Too often Goff gets hit with the “reliable” or “game manager” tag, but really he’s a playmaker in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s system. Goff ranks fifth in passing yards this year (2,507), tied for seventh in yards per attempt (7.7) and ninth in completion percentage (68.4%). Part of the reason he’s been so good is that the Lions have a bonafide WR1 in Amon-Ra St. Brown and struck gold with rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. Between the RBs, St. Brown and LaPorta, defenses can’t focus too heavily on any one area or they’ll get burned in another.

The Lions’ real strength comes in the trenches, both on offense and defense. Goff has only been sacked 15 times this season, so the Bears pass rush that has just started to show signs of life will have a tough time creating pressure. Meanwhile, defensive end Aidan Hutchison has been one of the most disruptive players in the league. Don’t let his ho-hum 4.5 sacks fool you. Hutchison’s 52 total pressures are tied for third-best in the NFL among all defensive players, behind only Myles Garrett’s 58 and Micah Parsons’ 53. Hutchison’s 19% pass rush win rate is 13th best among all defensive players with at least 150 pass rush snaps. The Bears recently reshuffled their OL unit to work Nate Davis back in at right guard, which included a move for Teven Jenkins back to left guard. Will everyone be able to settle in quickly to mitigate the damage Hutchison can cause?

The Bears have steadily improved enough this year for me to confidently say they’re not the worst team in the NFL anymore. Getting Justin Fields back makes them even better. But they’re not improved enough to win on the road against a legit playoff contender.

Lions: 31, Bears: 18

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KENNETH DAVIS

Primetime Bears Football!!!! This will be a double whammy! You have a Bears team with an improved offensive line and run defense, going up against one of the worst teams in the NFL. Plus, the Bears own the Panthers’ first pick in this upcoming NFL draft. I don’t know if I have been this comfortable predicting a Bears victory this entire season (I have not). Panthers rookie Bryce Young has yet to look like the prospect the Panthers expected moving up to take at No. 1 in the last NFL draft. Young has a passing rating of 77.1 and has thrown eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He basically gifted the Colts a victory this past Sunday with three interceptions, two of which were pick-sixes.

Now Tyson Bagent had turnover issues himself last week, with four turnovers and a fumble returned for a touchdown versus the Saints. But, Bagent also played well enough in the first half of the game that at times it seemed as if the Bears offense was unstoppable with him under center. Running Back Miles Sanders hasn’t been one hundred percent healthy, giving way to Chuba Hubbard getting most of the carries. Both backs only have one touchdown this season apiece. And the Bears have a nice run defense to slow down both backs’ production. 

Anyway Bears 28 – 17. Also, shoutout Ruthie Polinsky from NBC Sports Chicago’s Football Aftershow for joining us this week and predicting a double digit Bears victory. Alex and I are rolling with Ruthie!!

JOSH SCHROCK

The Bears can’t get out of their own. They lead the NFL in turnovers, are tied for the lead in penalties, are third in pre-snap penalties, third in penalty yards against, last in sacks, and 24th in turnovers forced. They are sloppy, poorly coached, and, apart from two games, fail to execute in key moments.

There’s no reason to pick them.

And yet, the Panthers are abominable.

Bryce Young ranks 32nd in the NFL in QBR and is coming off a game in which he threw two pick-sixes. They are without Brian Burns and C.J. Henderson and likely will be without D.J. Chark. The Panthers rank eighth in total defense but rank 31st in turnovers forced.

Tyson Bagent has done a lot of good things in his first three starts, but the turnovers have cost the Bears. If he can take care of the ball Thursday, the Bears should be able to win. But should is doing a lot of work.

Hell with it, give me the Bears. Cairo Santos wins it at the horn.

Bears 20, Panthers 17

ALEX SHAPIRO

The Bears have not been good, and picking against them has been good business, but the Panthers look every bit the worst team in the NFL. No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young has struggled throughout the season. His 77.1 QBR ranks 35th among all QBs who have thrown at least 50 passes. The run defense has been porous. The Panthers have surrendered the second most rushing touchdowns in the league (14) and tied for the eighth-most rushing yards per carry (4.4). That plays to the Bears’ strengths. Further, the Panthers are tied for the fourth-fewest sacks (17) and will be playing without their best pass rusher, Brian Burns.

If Tyson Bagent and the offense can cut down on the penalties and turnovers, even just a little bit, they should have no problem getting a win.

Bears: 27, Panthers: 17

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Watch the full episode:

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What is the wide receiver order after DJ Moore? Will Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, or Roschon Johnson get the bulk of the carries? Is P.J. Walker a serviceable backup if Justin Fields gets hurt? All that and more on this episode of the Under Center Bears Podcast.

:46 – Offensive Line

12:20 – Tight ends

13:40 – Quarterbacks

16:50 – Running backs

21:33 – Wide receivers

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