The Chicago Bears (11-5) will battle the Detroit Lions (8-8) on Sunday, where Chicago is looking to wrap the regular season on a high note and lock down the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Bears are coming off a tough 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, where they were able to hang with the 49ers’ high-powered offense but fell just short of a comeback. But there was plenty for the offense to build on, as well as some concerns on defense.

Now, Chicago has an opportunity for redemption against the Lions, who embarrassed them in a 52-21 win back in Week 2. It also helps that the No. 2 seed is also on the line. Can the Bears even the series against Detroit to go .500 in the NFC North? Our Bears Wire staff make their game predictions for Chicago-Detroit in Week 18:

Alyssa Barbieri (12-4): Bears 31, Lions 24

The Bears have already wrapped up the NFC North and will be no worse than the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, so there’s not too much at stake, other than securing the No. 2 seed (which the Commanders could help Chicago out with a win over the Eagles). But don’t try telling Ben Johnson that, as he said they’re playing to win on Sunday, meaning his starters will be on the field. Whether that’s because of the No. 2 seed or Caleb Williams being 270 yards away from becoming the franchise’s 4,000-yard passer or revenge for the Lions’ blowing them out back in Week 2.

A lot has changed since that Week 2 matchup, where Chicago went on to win 12 games after an 0-2 start and earned their first NFC North title in seven years and Detroit stumbled to a last-place standing in the division as they’ve been hit hard by injuries and the loss of Ben Johnson. The Bears offense is coming off its best outing of the season hanging with the 49ers in a shootout before falling just short of another comeback. Williams has a realistic possibility of not only setting a new single-season passing record but also becoming the franchise’s first 4,000-yard passer. Expect Johnson and his team to come out swinging in this one.

The Lions are banged up and have nothing to play for outside of pride, and the Bears have an opportunity to end the regular season on a high note heading into the postseason. This feels like the perfect revenge opportunity for Johnson and company.

Mike Pendleton (11-5): Bears 42, Lions 28

With revenge on their mind and an opportunity for Caleb Williams to make franchise history in more ways than one, I like the Bears to go big in this game. I believe we saw just a glimpse of what the offense is capable of in the Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and they’ll show consistency with it in the regular season finale against Detroit. 

Offensively, the Bears biggest concern will have to be keeping their quarterback upright, as the Lions sacked him four times in their first meeting back in Week 2, the most he’s been sacked all season. Williams and head coach Ben Johnson would not feed into the possibility of him breaking the franchise single-season passing record, or reaching 4,000 passing yards this season, but it’s out there, and they’re aware of what it means. 

Detroit, taking so much pride in the first win over their former offensive coordinator, could find a morale victory in knocking the Bears out of the No. 2 seed and sweeping Chicago to close out their season. The Bears defense needs to play much better this week, they need to contain Jahmyr Gibbs, and they need to cut out the big chunk plays.  This feels like a great test for Chicago right before the playoffs begin, taking on a potential high-powered offense, looking to get their defense right, and doing so at home in Soldier Field which should be quite alive. 

Despite losing out on the No. 1 seed, the Bears can close out their regular season with a bang, with history being made, and clinching the No. 2 seed, all of which sounded like a pipe dream to begin the year.

Vinnie Parise (10-6): Bears 30, Lions 13

The Chicago Bears weren’t only beaten by the Detroit Lions in Week 2, they were ran off the field. In hindsight, that was the best thing to ever happen to Ben Johnson’s team. Since then, they have only lost three games and have one of the NFC’s best records. 

Now, the Bears have one more crack at the Lions, who are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. This time, the Bears can clinch home field advantage through two potential playoff games and a Wild Card Weekend date with the Green Bay Packers. In addition to that, you know Ben Johnson wants to show his old team his stuff from the other side. 

Expect the Bears to come out with guns blazing in this one. Their offense has taken some big steps over the course of the season with Caleb Williams getting better every day. Their defense has had a lot of turnover success, but they haven’t been good at keeping the opposition off the board. This is their chance to rebound from a tough showing at the San Francisco 49ers. This great season coming to an end at 12-5 with a win over the Lions feels just right. 

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