Into the homestretch we go… the Bears return from their bye week and welcome the Detroit Lions to Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon. The Bears have been playing better; the Lions have been coming down to earth a little bit… Still, let’s not get it confused. The Lions are still 3 games clear of the closest team in the division at 9-3, while the Bears sit at 4-8. Sure, we have one more win than last year with 5 games to go, but that ain’t saying a whole lot. Yet, for the most optimistic of Bears fans, if we were to win out… 9-8 would certainly make the playoffs, right?
I’m about as optimistic as any Bears fan, but I’m not signing up for that. Sure, looking at the remaining schedule, is there a chance? Yes, the hardest game remaining is this week; if we were to win THIS week, then… But remember, when other teams are looking at their schedule, they certainly see the game against the Bears as winnable too… There is no disputing that the Bears defense has been playing better. Eberflus may not be doing that great as a head coach, but as a defensive coach, he certainly seems to have that unit headed in the right direction. The offense… as I think about what could/should be done in the offseason, I’m leaning Getsy’s direction. The big question that we still have, the one that we’ve had all year long, is can Fields and the offense get it going consistently?
The Lions are 3 point favorites, which honestly, seems low. Yes, these two teams are pointed in opposite directions, and yes, the Bears SHOULD have won the last game we played in Detroit, but… the Lions are still a much better team, and we didn’t win that first game in Detroit, so… I’d love to bet on the Bears; I want to believe we can beat them… I do believe we can beat them, but… the Lions are one of the best teams in the NFC, period, while the Bears, well… not quite there.
Final Score Prediction: Lions 30 Bears 17
Ace in the Hole: DJ Moore 2 TD receptions
Yes, I hope this serves as reverse psychology, but it’s also serving as my realization that maybe I shouldn’t bet this game; the bet would be more heart than head. I think of Monty coming back to Chicago, trying to prove a point. I think the Lions want to prove that the last game against the Bears was a fluke, just like their flop on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions are tied with the Niners and Cowboys, all of them only one game behind the Eagles. Home field, bye week… there’s a lot at stake for this franchise that will return to the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016. Are they good enough to be mentioned in the same breath as those other NFC teams? I think a lot of people are questioning that; I think they may be trying to make a statement on Sunday in Chicago; I hope I’m wrong. Bear Down!
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