Everything we know heading into Bears’ Week 12 game vs. Lions

The Chicago Bears (3-7) are facing the Detroit Lions (0-9-1) on Thanksgiving, where the Bears are looking to record their first win in the last six games.

It’s been a rough week for the Bears, and it’s not just because of a short turnaround from Sunday to Thursday’s game. There’s been a ton of speculation surrounding head coach Matt Nagy’s future, and it’s been a bit of a distraction. We’ll see if it’s one the Bears can overcome.

Here’s a rundown of what we know heading into Thursday’s game against the Lions:

How to watch

Game information:

Who: Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions

When: Thursday, Nov. 25, 11:30 a.m. CST

Where: Ford Field – Detroit, MI

Streaming:

In-market live stream: fuboTV (try it for free).

Broadcast:

TV: FOX

Radio: WBBM 780 (Chicago)

Betting line

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears are considered 2.5-point favorites against the Lions, according to Tipico Sportsbook. The over/under is 41.5.

Game-day roster

Here’s a look at the Bears’ game-day roster:

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Game picks

• Alyssa Barbieri: 20-13 Bears

• Brendan Sugrue: 21-13 Bears

• Ryan Fedrau: 24-20 Bears

• Nate Atkins: 19-16 Bears

• Sky Kruse: 31-14 Bears

Read our full analysis

Bold predictions

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

1. Andy Dalton plays mistake-free football

2. David Montgomery posts his third 100-yard rushing game of the season

3. Kindle Vildor records his first interception

Read our full analysis

Who has the advantage?

AP Photo/David Banks

In our weekly preview series, Alyssa Barbieri from Bears Wire and Jeff Risdon from Lions Wire went deep into the matchup to determine who has the advantage at the five key factors for winning football games in the NFL.

• Quarterback play: Bears

• Line of scrimmage: Lions

• Turnovers: Draw

• Situational: Bears

• Injuries: Lions

• Verdict: Draw

Read our full analysis

Last meeting: 24-14 Bears (10/03/2021)

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The Bears hosted the Lions back in Week 4, where the offense rebounded from an historically-bad loss to the Browns. Chicago scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and totaled 373 yards.

Justin Fields recorded his first win as a starter, completing 11-of-17 passes for 209 yards. Running back David Montgomery had 106 yards on 23 rushes and two scores before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Receiver Darnell Mooney had a career-high 125 yards, including a 64-yard reception. Outside linebacker Robert Quinn had a strip-sack of Jared Goff and outside linebacker Khalil Mack added a sack and a fumble recovery.

Chicago got some revenge against a Detroit team that upset them last December at Soldier Field, the first loss to the Lions in the Matt Nagy era.

Last week

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Bears: Lost 16-13 vs. Ravens

Lions: Lost 13-10 at Browns

The Bears lost their fifth straight game in a brutal defeat to the Ravens, even though the game was theirs for the taking. It didn’t help that they lost to a backup quarterback making his first NFL start in Tyler Huntley. But it could be worse. They could still be searching for their first win like the Lions, who couldn’t take advantage of a struggling Browns team.

Team ranks

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Team ranks, via Team Rankings

Lions players to watch

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

TE T.J. Hockenson: While the Lions don’t have a win so far this season, they have plenty of talent, including tight end T.J. Hockenson, who’s always a threat in the passing game. Hockenson has 0 dropped passes on 70 targets this season, and he’s someone the Bears should always be aware of.

RB D’Andre Swift: Bears fans know D’Andre Swift for his dropped touchdown in the 2020 season opener. But Swift has been impressive in his second season, including a dominant outing against the Browns, where he had 136 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.

RT Penei Sewell: The Bears are coming off a six-sack performance against the Ravens, but they’ll be facing a Lions offensive line that’s been solid over the last couple of weeks. that includes rookie right tackle Penei Sewell, who’s been impressive over the last five games allowed five pressures and zero sacks in 174 pass-blocking snaps.

Injuries to know

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Bears: Chicago will be without starting quarterback Justin Fields, who suffered a rib injury in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. That means it’ll be Andy Dalton making his first start since Week 2. But the Bears could also be with some other key starters, including defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (ankle) and receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring), who didn’t practice on Monday and Tuesday.

Lions: After Jared Goff missed last Sunday’s game with an oblique injury, it sounds like he’s trending for a return on Thanksgiving. Outside linebacker Trey Flowers hasn’t practiced this week, and his status is in question for Thursday. Offensive guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai remains in concussion protocol.

Storyline to watch: Will a loss to the winless Lions seal Matt Nagy's immediate fate?

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

With speculation swirling about Matt Nagy’s job security, Thursday’s game against the Lions is easily a must-win for the former Coach of the Year. The Bears have already lost five straight games this season — for the second consecutive year — and a sixth straight loss to the winless Lions could mean immediate repercussions for Nagy. The Bears have never fired a head coach midseason, but there’s always a first time for everything.

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