The Detroit Lions lost in Week 15, ending their 11-game winning streak for the first time since September. In Week 16, the Lions will take on the Chicago Bears, their division opponent, in an attempt to resume their winning ways. In addition to losing to the Buffalo Bills, the Lions also lost two more starters for the remainder of the season. There are currently 21 different players on Detroit’s injured reserve.
It’s possible that defensive tackle Alim McNeill will return during the playoffs, but he will undoubtedly miss the rest of 2024 due to a broken ACL, while cornerback Carlton Davis will miss six weeks due to a fractured jaw. Since October, the Bears, the Lions’ opponent in Week 16, have been in a tailspin. All of the excitement Chicago received at the start of the season was obviously unfounded, as the Bears have now dropped eight straight games.
Following the Lions’ victory over the Bears in Week 13, 23–20, this is the second meeting between the two teams. Will the Bears receive retribution? Will Detroit recover from a crushing defeat to the Bills? Let’s check with the professionals.
NFL picks, predictions Week 16: Lions vs. Bears
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Lions 27, Bears 24
Iyer: “With the loss of important players like Carlton Davis, Alim McNeill, Aidan Hutchinson, and Alex Anzalone, the Lions’ defence is disintegrating. With some additional help from the weather, Caleb Williams can maintain the momentum that the Bears used to push the Lions to the limit in Detroit in Chicago.
Sports News, Bill Bender: Lions 31, Bears 17 Bender: “The offence is still playing at its best, but the Lions’ defence is suffering from a growing number of injuries. In his last three starts, Jared Goff has averaged 332.7 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception. Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Lions, may also be using this as a kind of tryout. After a hard defeat to Buffalo, expect Detroit to reclaim its top spot in the NFC rankings. This meeting won’t be as intimate as the first one.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: Lions 28, Bears 24 Prisco: “This will be difficult because the Lions’ defence is severely injured. The Bears haven’t performed well over the last two weeks and are currently on an eight-game losing streak. However, they seem to hold their own against that deflated Lions defence. Bears keep close, but Lions win.
Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff: Lions 30, Bears 20 Cluff: “The loss to the Bills ended the Lions’ 11-game winning streak. It’s interesting to note that Detroit lost both games at home this year. We don’t think they’ll lose in Chicago.
Sportsnaut Matt Johnson: Bears 27, Lions 31 Johnson: “Although these two teams had a close game on Thanksgiving, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was forced to divide his responsibilities between calling plays and serving as head coach after Matt Eberflus was fired. Since then, the Bears offence hasn’t been nearly as successful. Detroit’s offence will not permit a second straight defeat, but the injury-plagued Lions defence will likely keep this game closer than it should be.