The Detroit Lions are looking to wrap up the season with a victory on Sunday afternoon. (Getty)
This one might actually be closer (and better) than people are giving it credit for.
The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions aren’t playing for an NFC North title. They’re playing to stay out of last place. They’re not going to the playoffs this season, but they’re still playing for a bit of pride and, for good measure, they don’t like each other very much.
So, we might not want to overlook this Week 17 tilt quite yet.
The Bears come into Sunday afternoon as slim 1-point favorites at home according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. It’s a small cushion for Chicago, a team that has struggled mightily at home throughout the entire course of the season. It’s also interesting since Detroit has performed so well in this rivalry recently. In fact, the Lions come into the matchup riding a five-game win streak over their divisional foes.
So, what are the reasons to suggest Chicago could walk off the field with a victory or, at least a betting-related win? The Bears are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games and 5-2 SU in their last seven games when playing Detroit at home. But that’s about all the confidence Chicago can give.
Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last seven games and 4-2 ATS in its last six games against the Bears. In 13 career games against the Lions, Jay Cutler has thrown 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions and, this year, the Bears have just one victory at Soldier Field. They’ve also been a bad bet against NFC North foes, posting a 6-14 ATS record in their last 20 divisional matchups.
On the flip side, the Lions had one of their best games of the season against Chicago earlier this year, winning 37-34. Matthew Stafford threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns, while Calvin Johnson had his only 100-plus yard game of the season.
The total for Sunday afternoon’s game is set at 45 points according to the sportsbooks. The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the Lions’ last 17 games on the road, but OVER in four of the last six against Chicago. Meanwhile, the total has gone OVER in four of the Bears’ last five.
The OddsShark computer is predicting a 23.2 – 23.1 Detroit victory.
Detroit vs. Chicago Prediction: Detroit SU & ATS