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Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on October 31, 2008

The Lions are competing with the Bengals to see which team can end its winless skid first. The books feel strongly that Detroit will not get the job done this week, listing the Lions as the heavy 12.5-point underdog with the total set at 43.

The Chicago Bears enter this NFC North matchup tied atop the division standing thanks to a surprising offense led by QB Kyle Orton. The team’s once-feared defense looks somewhat vulnerable however.

The Bears will expect a much better defensive effort coming out of a bye week against the winless Lions at Soldier Field.

It was a ferocious defense which carried the Bears to the playoffs in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, but the unit has been up and down this season. The Bears have forced a league-high 16 turnovers, are No. 1 in third down efficiency defense holding opponents to 30.1 percent, and are sixth against the run allowing just 85.9 yards per game. But the Bears have been stunned by the pass, allowing 243.1 yards per game (29th in the NFL).

Chicago won its last game 48-41 over the Vikings, but the defense gave up 439 total yards. Injuries to cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman have hurt the secondary but Pro Bowlers Tommie Harris and Brian Urlacher have also not played up to expectations. The Bears hope to get both of their corners back this week and hopefully that will help them improve against the pass.

The Bears have already played the Lions this season, capturing a 34-7 win at Detroit in early October. The defense was strong in that game, allowing a season-low 185 yards of offense. The Lions are ranked 29th in offense and 28th in scoring.

The Bears offense also had its best day against the Lions, racking up a season-high 425 yards. Chicago is tied with the Chargers for second in the NFL with a 28 points per game average. The 48 points the Bears scored against the Vikings two weeks ago was the highest point total since 1986.

Kyle Orton has had much to do with Chicago’s offensive success. Orton lit the Vikings up for 283 yards and two touchdowns in that shootout victory. He has passed for 903 yards, five touchdowns, and no picks over the last three games.

Orton’s best game of the season came against the Lions. He threw for a career-best 334 yards and two touchdowns and also posted a career-high QB rating of 121.4.

The Lions are 31st in the NFL in pass defense allowing 258.7 yards per game and Orton also has a perfect career mark against them (3-0). If you think Chicago has what it takes to blowout the Lions again, bet the Bears at -12.5 at BetUS.

The Lions played much better football in last week’s 25-17 loss to a good Washington team. Detroit jumped out to an early lead before getting outscored 22-10 the rest of the way.

QB Dan Orlovsky was 21 of 35 for 223 yards with a touchdown pass and should benefit from having gotten time against the Bears back on October 5th.

The numbers speak for themselves, the Lions are playing better football. Detroit has lost its last three games by an average of 5.7 points after dropping their first four by an average of 27.0.

Dating back to last season, Detroit has lost 14 of its last 15 games and is a dismal 28-5 in its last 33 on the road. If you think Detroit is playing well enough to keep this one within the number, bet the Lions at +12.5 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% sign up bonus.

Editor’s Note: Bet on the NFL this week with expert football handicapper Jimmy Boyd by signing up for his Week 9 NFL picks package. This package features his 5* AFC North Game of the Year as well as his 4* Major NFL Underdog of the Week, 4* Major NFL Blowout of the Week, and 3* Sunday Night Football SMASH plays.

Check out the NFL lines each week at Locksmith Sports.

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