NFL Thanksgiving Schedule, Stream & Predictions: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (POLL)
Continuing a classic rivalry, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions will play each other on Thanksgiving Day at 12:30 p.m. EST.
This classic NFC North matchup dates all the way back to 1930. The Lions and Bears have given NFL fans a lot of great rivalry moments over the decades. From Walter Payton to Barry Sanders, all the way to Calvin Johnson and Matt Forte. Although both teams only have just one combined Super Bowl win, this should be a great game for football fans on Turkey Day.
Let's see who has the edge in this game:
Detroit Lions (7-4)
The Detroit Lions are 7-4 after 11 games, but not all is well in the Motor City. After starting the season off 7-2, the Lions have lost their last two games, to the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals. To make matters worse, the Lions failed to score a single touchdown in either of those two games.
It's a shocker for most fans, but the Lions' offense now ranks 28th overall in scoring. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has just 13 touchdowns, and Calvin Johnson isn't fully healthy yet. Still, the Lions are 7-4, just one game out of first place in the NFC North behind only the Green Bay Packers.
The Lions' defense has been the most dominant unit in the NFL this season. Ndamukong Suh and Ezekiel Ansah have a combined 10 sacks this season. Unfortunately, defensive tackle Nick Fairley will not be playing in this game because of a knee injury.
Golden Tate has been a terrific addition, as he does lead the Lions with 1,047 receiving yards. A huge flaw with this Lions offense has been running the ball. The Lions rank 30th in the league in rushing yards. Running back Reggie Bush is set to play after missing his last game, but he has been struggling this season.
Chicago Bears (5-6)
One of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season has been the Chicago Bears. Despite having Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Martellus Bennett and Alshon Jeffery, the Bears' offense ranks 30th overall in scoring.
The Bears started the season 3-6, but they have won their last two games, against the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears' defense is still a big work in progress, and Charles Tillman is still out with a triceps injury. Head coach Marc Trestman has been under a lot of scrutiny this season.
Running back Matt Forte has been the brightest spot for the Bears. Forte has 822 rushing yards and 598 receiving yards this season. The only two running backs in NFL history to ever rush and receive for 1,000 yards in a single season are Marshall Faulk in 1999 for the St. Louis Rams and Roger Craig in 1985 for the San Francisco 49ers.
Although the Bears will be playing on the road, they tend to do better away from Soldier Field anyway.
The Bears and Lions will play each other again in Week 16 in Chicago.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions will play each other on Thursday, Nov. 27 at 12:30 p.m. EST on CBS. The game will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. You can view a live game stream here.
Predictions
The Lions have the superior record, but trends say the Bears have the upper hand. While the Lions haven't even recorded a single touchdown since their last second win against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10, the Bears have won their last two games. This should be a close duel between two teams who are very familiar with one another.
Bears win 23-20
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