Lions Bears Betting – Lions, Bears Clash About Much More Than Pride This Time Around
When the Detroit Lions make the trip to the Windy City this weekend to take on the division rival Chicago Bears, it will be about much more than just pride in the NFC North, and that is a testament to how far each of these franchises has come since two years ago. With a combined 11-5 record and just one game between them in the standings, it makes sense that at the midway mark in the sports betting season it will be the Lions clashing with the Bears for the chance to take the early frontrunner position for a NFC Wild Card spot.
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears
Sunday November 13, 2011 – 4:15 PM ET
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
NFL Betting Lines: Chicago Bears – 2.5
While fans in Chicago have expected their team to push for a playoff spot in each of the past two years, football fans from the Motor City have to be enjoying the ride as Detroit is currently tied for the third-best record in the NFC at 6-2. Even more impressive is that the Lions are still undefeated on the road, and a surprising 2-0 within the division including a 24-13 victory the first time these teams met.
Lions Bears Betting Preview: Detroit Lions
The bye came at the perfect time for a Lions’ team that finally got back on track against the Denver Broncos the last time they took the field with a 45-10 blowout win that ended a two-game slide. Detroit had lost back-to-back home games to the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons before bouncing back, but it cannot be overlooked that their two losses came against NFC contenders that they would have to beat to have any chance at accomplishing something beyond the regular season. The Lions will get another opportunity to prove their merit against one of those contenders this weekend, and while Matt Stafford, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, and the 10th-ranked passing attack in the league is ready to go after an extra seven days to prepare, Detroit’s sixth-ranked pass defense will need to make a statement opposite Jay Cutler.
Lions Bears Betting Preview: Chicago Bears
Cutler was very good the first time these teams met despite it being in a losing cause, as he threw for 249 yards and a touchdown while Matt Forte ran for another 116 on just 22 carries for an average of 5.3 yards. A slow start to the second half led to Chicago’s undoing, but they will look to change that on their own home turf this time around. The Bears are heating up at the right time with three straight wins including consecutive victories over teams regarded as playoff contenders, and they need to take advantage of back-to-back home games.
Lions Bears Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
For as good and exciting as the Lions have been this season, they have struggled in big games recently, and there will be a lot of pressure on them to keep their perfect home record intact against a division rival. Chicago has proven in recent weeks that it can contend for an NFC playoff spot, and can really help their cause with a big online wagering win this Sunday at Soldier Field.
Lions Bears Betting Pick: Chicago Bears
