NEWSLETTER
Football before noon tomorrow will give me flashbacks to when I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago … but without the sunshine, warm weather, oceanfront chill times, and the accessibility of a nearby In-N-Out burger.
Never Tell Me The Odds:
The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas lists the Bears as a 4.5-point favorite against the Lions with an over/under set at 37. Clearly, the oddsmakers don’t think much of the offensive firepower that Mitch Trubisky and Lions QB To Be Named Later bring to the table.
Series History:
The Bears lead the all-time season series 100-74-5 and have won three straight in the series. Before this three-game run, Chicago had won just once in its previous 10 games against Detroit.
Game Time, Broadcast Info, Officiating Crew:
Location: Ford Field
Broadcast Info: Thursday, November 28 at 11:30 a.m. CT on FOX-TV (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews), WBBM-AM 780 and WCFS-FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote)
Referee: Jerome Boger
Expected Starters and Lineups:
Bears Offense Expected Starters:
Bears Defense Expected Starters:
Bears Specialists:
Lions Offense Expected Starters:
Lions Defense Expected Starters:
Lions Specialists:
Keep An Eye On …
Bears Offense: David Montgomery was in a prime position to gash the Lions when these two teams met earlier in the month, but gained just 60 yards on 17 carries. Perhaps getting a second look at the Lions defense will bring the best out of the rookie rusher? If so, then Thanksgiving marks a great time to take advantage of a defense that has given up the second most fantasy points to running backs this season. Go get yours, Monty.
Bears Defense: Khalil Mack is back. Projected Lions starting quarterback Jeff Driskel is coming off a game in which he was sacked six times and suffered 14 quarterback hits. Do you see what I’m getting at here?
Lions Offense: Marvin Jones Jr. is on pace for an 81-catch, 1,020-yard, and 12-touchdown season. That’s impressive, especially when you think about how awesome Kenny Golladay has been across the field from him. Just because Jones isn’t on Golladay’s level doesn’t mean he isn’t a threat. Jones’ 56.5 percent catch rate in tight windows is the second best in football, per NFL’s NextGen Stats. Only Saints all-world receiver Michael Thomas ranks ahead of him. In short, Jones is pretty darn good.
Lions Defense: Damon Harrison Sr. a.k.a. “Snacks” was one of the league’s best run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in the league. Between 2014 and 2018, Harrison earned grades of 89.9, 89.9, 90.9, and 92 from Pro Football Focus. For those unfamiliar with PFF’s grading scale, players who earn grades of 90 or better are listed as elite. Harrison isn’t playing elite by PFF’s standards, with his 64.7 grade checking in at 71st among players in his position group. If he reverts to his past, Harrison could be a problem for the Bears’ offensive line. But if he continues to struggle, then maybe the Bears can take advantage of it for a change.
