The Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears won’t be playing for much in the final week of the NFL regular season. However, both prideful football organizations have 6-9 records entering next Sunday’s showdown, and the two are equally adamant to finish with one more win over its opposing division rival and also avoid being this year’s NFC North basement dwellers.
Let’s take a closer look at this clash that’s set to take place in Soldier Field. Afterwards, check out our preview for Minnesota vs. Green Bay to be on top of the Week 17 NFC North matchup that truly matters (playoffs-wise).
With a sound 32-17 win over the Niners on Sunday, the Detroit Lions may have given their head coach Jim Caldwell another chance at running the team next season.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Lions have now won five of their last seven games following a dismal 1-7 start to their campaign. Furthermore, their offense has been really clicking of late, scoring at least 30 points in each of their past two victories against the porous defenses of San Francisco and New Orleans.
As expected, Matt Stafford’s late-season resurgence (thanks in large part to awesomely-named offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s work) powered the victory by Detroit. He went for a cool 29-of-37 in the air for 301 yards and two touchdowns against the Niners. Star wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who might not be a Lion next season as the team prepares for salary cuts, had six receptions for 77 yards and a TD in what could’ve been his final game in Ford Field.
Regardless of what Megatron’s future with the team holds, this aerial attack of Detroit mustn’t turn off its afterburners in Week 17, especially going up against Chicago’s secondary. The Bears are actually third in the league against the pass, surrendering just around 216 yards through the air per game.
The Lions also better keep its superb play on the road going. They have won two of their last three road games (SU/ATS), but lost six-straight contests away from the Motor City (2-4 ATS) prior to that stretch.
Betting on the Chicago Bears (6-9)
An impressive 26-21 win at Tampa Bay over the Buccaneers on Sunday has the Chicago Bears in much better spirits now. They lost three straight games prior to that match, which pretty much crushed their slim playoff dreams.
With the way that Chicago’s running game ruled the turf on Sunday afternoon, quarterback Jay Cutler (20-of-27 for 156 passing yards, one TD, no picks) really didn’t have to do much through the air and just had to stay error-free to seal the win.
Collectively, the Bears amassed 174 rushing yards against the Bucs, with the two-headed backfield force of Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford combining for 30 carries and 137 yards.
However, it was third-string running back Ka’Deem Carey who stole the show. Carey had a pair of 1-yard scores – one on the ground and the other being Cutler’s lone TD pass of the day – to give the Bears yet another running game threat for Week 17 (and possibly next season).
Even the Bears defense deserves an ‘A’ for their showing on Sunday, as that unit caused three huge Tampa Bay turnovers to keep rookie phenom Jameis Winston in check. Prior to that contest, the Bears were fifth-worst in the league at creating takeaways with just 14 for the season.
That solid ground attack and opportunistic D better show up again this coming Sunday, because Chicago has lost its last five games against the Lions (but did manage to cover the spread in the last two meetings).
The team also probably wishes that the season finale would rather be played away from Soldier Field. The Bears have lost four-straight home games thus far and nine of their last 10 overall, going 3-7 against the spread during that 10-game span.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bears give their home fans a nail-biter of a win as a parting gift, 24-23.
