The betting line from BetMGM indicates the Lions are favored by 10.5 points.
In terms of performance against the spread, the Bears have recorded 6 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie while the Lions have fared even better at 9 wins and 2 losses.
The rivalry has a long history, with the Bears leading the series at 105 wins to 78 losses with 5 ties.
Their most recent clash on December 10, 2023, ended with a Bears victory of 28-13 in Chicago.
Last week, the Bears fell to the Vikings 30-27, while the Lions secured a win against the Colts, finishing 24-6.
Analyzing the teams, the Bears’ offense currently ranks 26th overall, where they are positioned 22nd in rushing, 29th in passing, and tied for 22nd in scoring.
Conversely, the Bears’ defense is ranked 17th overall, 20th against the run, 13th against the pass, and 8th in scoring.
The Lions have a potent offense, which is ranked 2nd overall, 4th in rushing, 6th in passing, and ranked 1st for scoring.
Their defense holds the same overall position as the Bears, ranked 17th, with similar stats against the run and pass.
Both teams share an impressive turnover differential, sitting at plus-9.
For the Bears, all eyes will be on quarterback Caleb Williams, who was the top pick in the recent NFL draft.
Under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Williams is showing a resurgence with solid performances, including 340 yards and two touchdowns last week, marking his fourth game without a turnover.
Meanwhile, the Lions’ running back David Montgomery is another player to watch.
He has successfully rushed for a touchdown in each of his last three games and has accumulated an impressive 11 touchdowns throughout the current season.
During his tenure with the Lions, he has tallied 24 rushing touchdowns.
Coming from the Bears, Montgomery had notable stats, including 26 rushing touchdowns over his 60 games with them from 2019 to 2022, although he was slightly hindered by a shoulder injury last week but is anticipated to play.
One of the critical matchups to keep an eye on will be the rushing game of Detroit against the Chicago defense.
The Lions hold an NFL record with a rushing touchdown in 25 consecutive games.
Notably, both Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs stand out as the first running backs from a single team achieving at least 10 rushing touchdowns over two successive years.
On the defensive side, the Bears’ 20th ranking against the run could prove to be a significant disadvantage during this game.
Injury updates show that Bears’ guard Ryan Bates (concussion) and defensive back Elijah Hicks (ankle) are listed on the injury report, both having missed the last game.
For the Lions, cornerback Carlton Davis (knee/thumb), offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee), and punt returner/wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) are unlikely to participate.
Historically, Chicago halted a three-game series losing streak against Detroit last season.
The Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving since their 1934 matchup against the Bears, which they lost 19-16.
Chicago has beaten Detroit in their last three Thanksgiving games, disappointing Lions supporters in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
This will mark the 20th time the Bears face the Lions on the holiday, closely trailing the Packers with their 22 appearances in Detroit on Thanksgiving.
Statistically, the Bears are enduring a five-game losing streak, their longest since losing the final ten games of the 2022 season.
During these losses, they suffered three heart-wrenching defeats in one-possession games, including a last-second Hail Mary against Washington, a blocked field goal against Green Bay, along with a last-minute field goal by Minnesota.
Under coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears have a 5-18 record in close games and a 2-5 record this season alone.
Eberflus, now in his third season, has an overall record of 14-31, including a 1-3 matchup against the Lions.
Wide receiver DJ Moore had a stellar performance last week, catching seven passes for a personal best of 106 yards along with a touchdown.
He has bounced back over the past two games with 14 receptions totaling 168 yards after a stretch with just 13 catches for 104 yards.
Notably, kicker Cairo Santos has experienced an unusual issue this season, with three field goals blocked, the highest for Chicago in a single season since 2012.
The Bears will host the Lions again in Week 16.
Additionally, only Buffalo and Pittsburgh enjoy better turnover differentials compared to Detroit and Chicago.
Despite the festive holiday history, the Lions will strive to break their seven-game losing streak, including three to the Bears, while they have only won 4 out of their last 20 encounters on Thanksgiving.
Yet, Detroit currently leads the NFC standings with a 10-1 record, tied with Kansas City for the best mark in the NFL.
This is the first time in 89 years they have won ten of their first eleven games, aiming for an unprecedented 11-1 record in franchise history.
A victory over Chicago could potentially secure their playoff position, depending on various scenarios involving losses from other teams.
In terms of fantasy football, Montgomery might feel a sense of urgency playing against his former squad.
He has remarkably scored rushing touchdowns in all but two games this season, and since the Bears rank weak against the run, players should definitely consider Montgomery’s strong potential during this matchup.