Week 12 matchups:
Previews, lines, predictions. ❚ Fantasy value meter, Page 6
Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, Ford Field, Detroit TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Bears by Bears’ 3 keys to victory:
The Bears trounced Detroit in Week 10 in Chicago despite almost no contribution from the running game (36 yards on 19 carries on designed runs). It worked once, but being so one-dimensional on offense is unlikely to succeed on the road and with top Lions CB Darius Slay back after missing the first meeting. That doesn’t mean the Bears should get away from QB Trubisky Mitchell
attacking the weak the Detroit secondary. points WRs Allen in Robinson Anthony
and Miller are capable of exploiting coverage holes. Getting a consistent pass rush from LB Mack Khalil
and not letting Lions QB Matthew Stafford get into a groove is important for the Bears defense. The Bears did a great job of that in the Week 10 meeting and should be able to do it again. Lions’ keys to victory: The loss of rookie RB Kerryon Johnson to a knee injury made the upset of the Carolina Panthers feel like a loss. Now it’s up to versatile RB Theo Riddick to create opportunities for
QB Matthew Stafford to take shots to WR Kenny Golladay. The Thanksgiving crowd loves to feed off the Lions creating turnovers; CB Darius Slay must live up to his “Big Play” nickname. DE Ezekiel Ansah has played well in limited duty since his return from injury.
Matchup to watch: Bears LB Khalil Mack vs. Lions RT Rick Wagner. Mack bagged two sacks by beating Wagner in Week 10, but Wagner otherwise has played well.
Who wins? Detroit has won five in a row at home over the Bears and four of five in its annual Thanksgiving Day hosting duties. Lions, 24-20