It’s the final week of the regular season. Will the Chicago Bears get revenge on the Detroit Lions? Find out our staff predictions here!
The Chicago Bears enter Week 18 with a range of emotions. They are NFC North Champions for the first time since 2018, and Caleb Williams has looked like a superstar the last few weeks. However, they are coming off a last-second loss to the San Francisco 49ers. A game in which their defense was nowhere to be found after the pick-six on the first play of the game. While the offense was reaching new heights, the defense allowed nearly 500 yards and 42 points. The future is bright, but this playoff run looks a lot more difficult now.
Enter the Detroit Lions. This Bears team has come a long way since the beginning of the season. Their run game went from pedestrian to one of the best in the NFL, and Ben Johnson has turned this offense into a Top 5 unit. The last time these two teams met, the Lions embarrassed them in Detroit. There is a lot more than playoff seeding on the line here. Coach Johnson is certainly looking to get one back against Dan Campbell and ride into the playoffs on a high note.
Beyond that, this game has a few other storylines in play. Williams is just 109 passing yards away from becoming the single-season passing yards record holder for the Bears. However, an even bigger milestone is on the horizon: becoming the first 4,000-yard passer in Bears history. I am sure Johnson is going to do all he can to not only win, but to help Williams hit that target. On the other side, Detroit will look to make sure that doesn’t happen and try to close their lackluster season out with a win.
Story continues below.
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There will be some question of how much time the starters will spend on the field. The Bears have been pretty banged up all season and could use some extra rest before the playoffs begin. The injury report is the best it has looked all season. Maybe they are getting healthy at the right time.
Now… On to the predictions!
This game means something to Johnson; it would be a very bad omen if the Bears didn’t handle business this week. And I think they will.
The Bears take this one easily.
I think Williams throws for 304 yards and 3 TDs, with one of his touchdowns going to Theo Benedet on a trick play. The defense stiffens up after last week’s barrage vs. the 49ers, and Montez Sweat gets a strip sack, and Kevin Byard continues his All-Pro campaign with an interception.
Williams is playing the best football of his career right now, and I think we see the offensive momentum continue. Coach Johnson is competitive as it gets; he’s going to want to enter the playoffs coming off a win.
The Bears have something to play for. The Lions have nothing to play for. I think Johnson will look to get a little revenge and get some momentum heading into the postseason.
I firmly believe Johnson is going to rally his team and bring out their best showing of the season. I think this will be Williams’ best game of the season, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. The defense is coming off a terrible performance versus the 49ers, and that, combined with how they performed in Week 2 against the Lions, means I can see them coming out swinging. The Bears may not have a great defense, but I think they’ll do all they can to shut down Jarred Goff and company.
This isn’t the same Lions team the Bears faced in Week 2. The Lions are decimated with injuries, especially on the defensive side of the football. I expect the Bears to take advantage, and potentially rest starters in the 2nd half.
What’s On Tap Next?
The Bears may not have much to play for in terms of securing a spot in the playoffs, but pride is certainly on the line. The Lions completely outclassed the Bears in Week 2. However, this is not the same Bears team they faced then. The rushing prowess and Williams’ ascent into top 10 status could make this another shootout. Be sure to tune in to this one!