The Detroit Lions have been a Thanksgiving tradition for NFL fans dating back to 1935. This season will make the 19th time the Lions have faced the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day and the third in the last four seasons. While they will be underdogs at home, the stage could be set for the Lions to win their first game.
It may depend on the quarterbacks for both teams, who both had to use backups in their previous games. Here are the betting odds for Thursday’s game.
Detroit Lions Vs. Chicago Bears Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Detroit +3.5 (-115) Chicago -3.5 (-105) |
Detroit +145 Chicago -165 |
Over 41.5 (-110) Under 41.5 (-110) |
||
| BetMGM | Detroit +3.5 (-115) Chicago -3.5 (-105) |
Detroit +150 Chicago -185 |
Over 41.5 (-110) Under 41.5 (-110) |
||
| Caesars | Detroit +3.5 (-115) Chicago -3.5 (-105) |
Detroit +150 Chicago -175 |
Over 41.5 (-110) Under 41.5 (-110) |
||
| BetRivers | Detroit +3.5 (-110) Chicago -3.5 (-110) |
Detroit +155 Chicago -177 |
Over 41.5 (-110) Under 41.5 (-110) |
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Chicago Bears (3-7 SU, 4-6 ATS)
The Chicago Bears are going to be limping into Detroit on Thursday. On the defensive side of the ball, they will be without several key players, including LB Khalil Mack, S Eddie Jackson, LB Danny Trevathan, and DT Akiem Hicks. WR Allen Robinson has already been ruled out as well.
But the most critical news has yet to be announced — the status of QB Justin Fields. He left Sunday’s loss to the Ravens with a rib injury. Early indications are that he has bruised ribs, but further testing is expected and his status uncertain. If he cannot go, the Bears have a veteran backup waiting in the wings in Andy Dalton.
It is hard to say who would be better for the Bears. Fields is the franchise quarterback of the future and could use the experience. While his play has been erratic, Fields has played well overall. He got his first win as a starter against the Lions in Week Four.
He played well against the Lions then, but it may be better for him to heal rather than play on a short week.
Dalton is one of the better backups in the league and did well in relief last week against the Ravens (11-for-23 for 201 yards and two touchdowns). However, he only had one drive with more than one first down — the last one — and it had two. Yes, he can make the throws, but can he sustain drives?
Dalton needed a few games to get his bearings when he took over for Dak Prescott in Dallas last season.
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Detroit Lions (0-9-1 SU, 6-4 ATS)
Whether the Lions face Fields or Dalton, the more significant issue will be who lines up behind center for their offense. Jared Goff has already been ruled out for Thursday’s game. Tim Boyle will get the second start of his career.
Boyle signed with the Lions in the offseason after spending the last three in Green Bay, but most of his time with the Lions has been spent on Injured Reserve. So, Boyle has not had the opportunity to work within the offense much. It looked like it last week against the Browns when he completed 15 of 23 passes for 77 yards and two interceptions.
The lack of production was not entirely his fault. Head coach Dan Campbell was conservative with his play-calling to protect Boyle from one of the better pass rushes in the league. While it worked to the extent that he did not suffer any sacks, it also meant the offense did not take any chances.
Campbell had been one of the more aggressive coaches in the NFL this season.
In the process, the Lions may have stumbled on a potential path to victory. The run game and defense have come alive the last two weeks. A week after running for 130 yards against the Steelers, RB D’Andre Swift had the third 100-plus-yard day of his career and second of the season with 136 yards and a touchdown.
The defense played well overall in both games, but it also bears noting that they faced QB Mason Rudolph against the Steelers and a banged-up Baker Mayfield against the Browns.
Betting Analysis
Playing backup quarterbacks seems to be bringing the best out of the Detroit Lions defense. But the Bears’ backup QB is not your typical backup. Dalton is a seasoned veteran. While he was not stellar against the Ravens last week, he’s capable of making plays despite a lack of practice time with the Bears’ first-team offense.
Detroit might be competitive in this one, but the Bears have enough talent in the lineup to get the win.
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