Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears: SLR Staff Predictions

The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have headed in opposite directions over the course of the 2014 season. While the Bears season is coming to a crashing end, the Lions look to clinch their spot in the postseason.

Will they take advantage of a wounded opponent in their “win and in” scenario? Here is what the SideLion Report staff sees for the game ahead.

Alex Reno – Winning on the road isn’t ea—Aw who am I kidding. Jimmy Clausen? Thanks Bears. I expect Detroit’s offense to get back on track this week and possibly set them up for an upset in Lambeau the following week. This game isn’t going to be pretty for Chicago. Marc Trestman is as good as gone, and the locker room is a complete mess. Lions win big. Final score: Lions 31, Bears 13.

Kent Platte – The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears are headed in similar but opposite directions. While the Lions are winning on the shoulders of the best defense in their history and a QB who has found a way to cut back on his mistakes; the Bears are collapsing under the weight of a historically poor defense and a QB who failed his way to the bench.

All of the pieces are in play for a Detroit Lions domination of the Bears. Indeed, the Bears are worse off now than they were when the Lions blew them out to a national audience on Thanksgiving. Yes, it’s at Soldier Field. Yes, that is an outdoor field and it’s cold. That won’t help the Bears defense play better, nor will new Bears starter Jimmy Clausen suddenly become Joe Montana. Lions in a blow out, Lions in a shut out, 37-0.

Max DeMara – There’s no way the Bears can keep this close offensively with Jimmy Clausen at quarterback. The Lions feast on Clausen up front, and dominate the game in a near carbon-copy of Thanksgiving Day. Lions 30, Bears 14

Darin Ackerman – Christmas came a little early this year when the Bears announced that Jimmy Clausen would be starting as quarterback against the Lions this week. Clausen has not started a single game since 2010. Although, the threat from Jay Cutler would not have been anything to be concerned about either.

The Bears offense is laughable and their defense is basically non-existent. They are dead last in the league for points allowed per game (29.2) – the same stat in which the Lions lead the league (17). If the Thanksgiving match up between the two teams was any indication, the Detroit Lions will handily better their record to 11-4. Prediction: Lions 31, Bears 13.

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Braden Shackelford – The Lions have everything to play for and the Bears don’t. I expect the Lions to lock in their first playoff berth since 2011 as the Bears’ offense experiences the Jimmy Clausen effect. Prediction: Lions win, 31-14

Zac Snyder – The “same old Lions” might have gotten lit up by a journeyman backup like Jimmy Clausen but with ten wins already on the board and one of the best defenses in the league, these Lions have shown themselves to be anything but “same old.” The Bears will undoubtedly rely on Matt Forte more than they did in their first meeting with the Lions (5 carries, 6 yards), but the Lions and their stout run defense will be ready.

Matthew Stafford played one of his finest games of the season last time out against the Bears and there is no reason to believe the porous Bears defense will suddenly be able to slow down the Lions offense. Play a clean game and the Lions will be just fine. Prediction: Lions, 24, Bears 13

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