Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears: Early Week 11 odds and prediction

If not for the Minnesota Vikings (6-4) winning five games in a row against a run of mostly bad or mediocre teams, the 7-2 Detroit Lions would be sitting pretty comfortably atop the NFC North. The Lions have only played one division game up to this point, in an odd scheduling quirk, but that will change in Week 11.

The 3-7 Chicago Bears are making a visit to Ford Field in Week 11 for the first matchup between the two teams over the next four weeks. The Bears also won in Week 10, albeit less impressively against the 1-8 Carolina Panthers. Chicago has won two of their last four games. They are now 2-0 on Thursday nights this year, and 1-7 on Sundays.

The Bears may get quarterback Justin Fields (thumb) back this week, which would be a natural improvement over rookie Tyson Bagent. But this is still a bad team top to bottom, possibly headed for two top-five picks next April courtesy of their own ineptitude and having the Panthers' first-round pick from last offseason's trade that brought wide receiver D.J. Moore to Chicago.

Via FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the early odds for Lions-Bears in Week 11, followed by a prediction for the game.

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears: Early Week 11 odds, prediction

Point Spread:
Lions (-10): -110
Bears (+10): -110

Moneyline:
Lions: -500
Bears: +380

Over/Under (46.5 points)
Over: -110
Under: -110

Prediction: Lions 31, Bears 13.

The Bears, with or without Fields, just won't present a challenge for the Lions. The offense would presumably be better with Fields under center, but just how much is debatable. The defense has looked better since Montez Sweat was added to bolster the pass rush, but it's not as if they've faced great offenses in the Saints and the Panthers in those two games.

On the betting marks here, the Lions cover the big spread, they of course win on the moneyline and the under on 46.5 points narrowly cashes in,

Note: Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.