Despite their 0-9-1 record, the Detroit Lions have had a number of chances to get in the win column during the 2021 NFL schedule. They lost to Baltimore and Minnesota on field goals as time expired, squandered a fourth-quarter lead against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7 and missed a field-goal attempt in overtime versus Pittsburgh two games later. Detroit hopes to finally end its 14-game winless streak (0-13-1) when it hosts the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears (3-7) to open the NFL Thanksgiving Day 2021 schedule. The Lions, whose last win came against Chicago in Week 13 last season, had their comeback from a 13-point halftime deficit fall short last Sunday, when they dropped a 13-10 decision at Cleveland.
Kickoff from Ford Field is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Chicago is a three-point favorite in the latest Lions vs. Bears odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 41.5. Before locking in any Bears vs. Lions picks or NFL predictions, make sure you see what SportsLine's resident Lions expert, R.J. White, has to say.
White, a CBS Sports fantasy and gambling editor, ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It's no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world's most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest.
In addition, White has gone an amazing 43-23-2 on his last 68 picks involving Detroit, returning over $1,700. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, White has locked in on Bears vs. Lions from every angle and released a confident against-the-spread pick. You can visit SportsLine now to see it. Here are several NFL lines and trends for Lions vs. Bears:
Lions vs. Bears spread: Chicago -3 Lions vs. Bears over-under: 41.5 points Lions vs. Bears money line: Chicago -160, Detroit +140 CHI: Bears are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven meetings with Detroit DET: Lions are 3-14 ATS in their last 17 games during Week 12 Why the Bears can coverChicago has a solid rushing attack and is sixth in the league with an average of 132.1 yards per game. The Bears were dominant on the ground in the first meeting this year, outgaining the Lions 188-90, with David Montgomery doing much of the damage. The 24-year-old out of Iowa State recorded his second 100-yard performance of the season, gaining 106 on 26 carries while rushing for a pair of touchdowns.
Montgomery, who leads the team in rushing with 430 yards, suffered a knee injury early in the fourth quarter of that contest and missed Chicago's next four games before returning against Pittsburgh in Week 9. Rookie Khalil Herbert filled in admirably during Montgomery's absence and provides a solid second backfield option for the Bears. The 23-year-old Virginia Tech product, who was selected in the sixth round of this year's NFL Draft, gained 75 or more yards in each of the four contests and topped out with 100 at Tampa Bay in Week 7.
Why the Lions can coverDetroit may be 27th in the NFL in total defense (376.7 yards) and rank 30th in points allowed (27.3), but it has played much better since returning from its bye week. The Lions limited Pittsburgh to 16 points in their tie in Week 10, forcing the Steelers to commit two of their three total turnovers in overtime, and held Cleveland to 13 in their three-point loss on Sunday. One of Detroit's top defensive performers this year has been cornerback Amani Oruwariye, who is tied for fourth in the league with four interceptions.
A fifth-round pick out of Penn State in the 2019 NFL Draft, the 25-year-old made a total of three picks in 25 games over his first two seasons with Detroit. Charles Harris has had the most success getting to opposing quarterbacks and leads the Lions with a career-high four sacks. The 26-year-old linebacker notched three with Atlanta last season after registering 3.5 over three years with Miami.
How to make Bears vs. Lions picksFor Thursday's 2021 Thanksgiving Day NFL contest, White is leaning Under the total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. He's sharing it only at SportsLine.
