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Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears NFL Predictions & Spread

Written by Jimmy Boyd

lions bears 93009 The Detroit Lions invade Soldier Field this Sunday to take on the Chicago Bears in a Week 4 NFC North Division showdown. For the first time in a long time, I can say that Detroit will be looking to build off of a win. The Lions snapped their 19-game skid with a 19-14 victory over Washington last week. Meanwhile, the Bears improved to 2-1 with a 25-19 win over Seattle. These teams have not met since Week 9 of last season when Detroit gave the Bears a scare, falling by just four points. Chicago has won six of the last eight games in this matchup and holds a commanding 89-64-5 advantage in the all-time series. NFL lines makers expect Detroit to fall right back in the loss column this week, listing the Bears as a 10-point favorite with the total set at 39.

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After QB Jay Cutler’s forgettable Week 1 performance, some Bears fans were ready to send him back to Denver. In that game, it was clear to me that he wasn’t on the same page with the receivers. Since then, Cutler and the wideouts have started to develop some nice chemistry. Cutler has thrown five touchdowns against just one interceptions in back-to-back Bears wins with speed demon Devin Hester and Earl Bennett emerging as his favorite targets. Detroit enters with the NFL’s 30th ranked pass defense so it could be another big day through the air for Cutler and the Bears.

While the passing game continues to improve, the Bears have reason to be concerned about a running attack that is struggling. Behind Matt Forte, the running game was the strength of the Bears offense last season, but Forte is only averaging 2.5 yards per carry early on in 2009. At some point, Chicago is going to have to find a way to get the running game going.

Defensively, Chicago is going to go after QB Matthew Stafford early and often. The Bears currently rank second in the NFL with nine sacks. It is also worth noting that the Lions are 1-11 against the spread in their last 12 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0 points. If you like Chicago by double digits at home, bet the Bears at -10 at Sportsbook.com.

Detroit enters a game with some momentum for the first time in a long time. Now that a 19-game losing streak monkey is off its back, it’s time for the Lions to start playing with a lot of confidence to compete week in and week out. For Detroit to have a chance, I believe Stafford is going to have to play a near-perfect game. That means no costly turnovers against a ferocious Bears pass rush and it also means getting the ball to Calvin Johnson. Johnson is one of the most talented young players in the league, but he is yet to have a 100-yard day. Lions fans are hoping he’s been saving it for the Bears.

Defensively, The Lions are going to have to mount some kind of a pass rush to give their suspect secondary a chance or Cutler will carve them up. It is worth noting that the Lions are 6-1 against the number in their last seven games as a road underdog and the underdog is 8-2 against the number in the last 10 meetings. If you think Detroit is capable of pulling off the upset, bet the Lions at +10 at BetUS.

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