Bears (3-12) at Lions (7-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Ford Field, Detroit
TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Lions by 5 ⁄2
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Bears’ keys to victory: Chicago’s awful scoring defense over the last two months (more than 32 points per game allowed) has to figure out a way to slow down QB Jared Goff and a diverse Lions receiving corps. Youngsters CB Kyler Gordon and S Jaquan Brisker must make some plays on the ball. On offense, someone besides TE Cole Kmet needs to make more than three receptions to help QB Justin Fields out.
Lions’ keys to victory: Their run defense has been playing very well lately, but DC Aaron Glenn needs to remember what Fields did to them in Week 10, rushing for 147 yards and two TDs. Rookies DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB Malcolm Rodriguez need to tackle well and not lose their containment on Fields. This should be a great matchup for Detroit to use rookie WR Jameson Williams to stretch the field and let Goff choose the open man among Williams, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and WR Chark.
Matchup to watch: Bears’ Fields vs. Lions LB Alex Anzalone. Fields has emerged as a fantastic dual-threat quarterback despite a middling supporting cast.
He’s the exact type of player who gives the Lions defense issues. Anzalone has quietly emerged as one of the NFL’s better off-ball linebackers in the last few weeks, and his speed in both coverage and rushing the passer can help neutralize Fields.
Who wins? Having playoff aspirations for the first time since 2016 should be more than enough to carry Detroit against the NFC’s worst team since September.
Lions, 33-21