It seems like no one can stop the Detroit Lions.
It's never easy to advance to a divisional matchup, but going into the NFC North matchup as a 10.5-point favorite against a team that isn't an easy win rarely happens in the NFL.
But Detroit is the highest-rated team in the NFL in terms of defensive adjusted average (DVOA), so that's where the Lions stand going into Thanksgiving football.
According to FTN, they are the fifth highest rated DVOA team in league history.
It's a nightmare matchup for anyone in the league, and even the biggest skeptic like myself will have a hard time forgetting Detroit.
Bears vs. Lions odds
| odds | money line | total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| bear | +10.5 (-122) | +400 | 48.5 or higher (-110) |
| lions | -10.5 (+100) | -520 | Less than 48.5 (-110) |
Bears vs. Lions predictions
As BetMGM's John Ewing points out, favorites with 10 points or more are 12-0 straight up on Thanksgiving and 10-2 against the spread.
But the Bears did a great job of losing close games or simply finding ways to lose games.
Where things get tricky for the Bears is their run defense, which is among the worst in the NFL.
They are rated 26th in yards per carry allowed and 30th in run defense in DVOA.
This is a scary combination considering the Lions' multi-faceted rushing attack, which includes two top running backs and an elite offensive line.
David Montgomery was in the polls to embarrass the Bears on Thanksgiving, and there's no way long-scoring offensive coordinator Ben Johnson won't do it again on the prime-time stage this week.
Do you want to bet on the NFL?
I'm betting David Montgomery will rush into the end zone twice against his former team and the Lions, covering his 10.5 points this time.
Pick: Lions -10.5 (-110, Caesars) |David Montgomery 2+ Touchdowns (+320, FanDuel)
