{"id":647039,"date":"2026-01-02T02:39:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T02:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/647039\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T02:39:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T02:39:12","slug":"nfl-week-18-game-preview-chicago-bears-vs-detroit-lions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/647039\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Week 18 game preview: Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The final week of the NFL regular season and the Chicago Bears are playing for playoff seeding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">This seemed impossible one year ago, when they limped into week 18 against the Green Bay Packers on a 10-game losing streak.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">But that upset left a good taste in fans\u2019 mouths. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChicagoBears\/status\/2006787803238310134\" rel=\"nofollow\">Caleb Williams said,<\/a> \u201cAnd there\u2019s a lot more coming.\u201d He wasn\u2019t wrong.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The calendar year 2025 was good to the Bears, and now it\u2019s about continuing that momentum into 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Chicago won 14 games under Matt Eberflus, 15 if you throw Thomas Brown\u2019s interim tenure on there. Ben Johnson has a chance to win 12 regular-season games in his first 17 games as coach. He\u2019s already won 73 percent of the games won by the prior regime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">And Caleb Williams is on the cusp of setting Bears records of his own. He\u2019s finishing off consecutive seasons starting every game for the Bears since the 1970s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">One thing is clear, though. Johnson and Williams don\u2019t care about records. They want wins. And seeding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">They must beat the Lions to achieve that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">SB Nation site: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prideofdetroit.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pride of Detroit<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Last week: 23-1 loss to the Vikings<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Game day, time, TV: Sunday, 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Bears all-time record against: 105-81-5<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Historical meetings: In week 17 of the 2012 season, the 9-6 Bears were looking to get into the postseason in Detroit against the Lions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Chicago took a 20-3 lead with a 60-yard pass from Jay Cutler to Earl Bennett, a 1-yard rush from Matt Forte and two Olindo Mare field goals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Detroit made it 20-10 in the closing seconds of the first half as Matthew Stafford hit Kris Durham for a 25-yard score.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Mare added two field goals in the second half, while Stafford threw touchdowns to Will Heller and Brian Robiske. But it wasn\u2019t enough and the Bears finished 10-6, but out of the postseason with a 26-24 win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Lovie Smith was fired the next day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Last meeting: Back in week two, the Lions took out their frustrations on a Bears team still finding their way under their new head coach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Amon-Ra St. Brown caught three touchdowns, and Jameson Williams caught one. Both went over 100-yards. Jared Goff threw five touchdowns and had 334 yards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Lions throttled Chicago 52-21, at one point leading 45-14.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Injury report: The Lions held three players from Thursday\u2019s practice and had seven others limited<\/p>\n<p>OL Trystan Colon (wrist)DL Alim McNeill (abdomen)OT Penai Sewell (ankle)T Taylor Decker (shoulder\/illness)OL Giovanni Manu (knee)Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee\/ankle)LB Alex Anzalone (concussion)G Kayode Awosika (illness)S Thomas Harper (concussion)OL Christian Mahogany (illness)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Offense: The Lions come in ranked third in points and sixth in yards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Detroit\u2019s passing offense ranks fifth and their rushing offense ranks 15th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jared Goff (68.3 pct cmp\/4,233 yds\/33 TD\/7 INT) has played well for most of the season, but is coming off a game with two interceptions and three fumbles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Lions\u2019 weapons remain plentiful with Amon-Ra St. Brown (106 rec\/1,262 yds.\/11 TD), Jameson Williams (59\/1,043\/7) Isaac TeSlaa (15\/221\/6) and Kalif Raymond (21\/237\/1).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Keep in mind Jahmyr Gibbs (74\/583\/4) is second on the team in receptions. He\u2019s also the lead back (224 att.\/1,143 yds.\/13 TD). David Montgomery (150\/674\/8) remains the Knuckles to Gibbs\u2019 Sonic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Defense: On defense, the Lions rank 23rd in points and 18th in yards allowed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Their passing defense ranks 19th, while their rushing defense ranks 16th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Unfortunately for Detroit, they did not have injury luck much different than last year. But several leaders are healthy, like DE Aiden Hutchinson (13.5 sk\/13 TFL\/33 QB hits\/4 FF\/3 PD\/1 INT), LB Alex Anzalone (95 tkl\/2.5 sk\/9 PD\/1 INT\/6 QB hits) and LB Jack Campbell (165 tkl\/9 TFL\/5 sk\/3 PD\/2 FR) and Amik Robertson (51 tkl\/2 TFL\/12 PD\/1 INT).<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Former Bear Al-Quadin Muhammad (11 sk\/9 TFL\/20 QB hits) is much more productive with an All-Pro caliber player opposite him. Derrick Barnes (75 tkl\/4 sk\/1 INT\/2 PD\/6 TFL) and D.J. Reed (34 tkl\/2 INT\/7 PD\/1 FR) are also playing good football for Detroit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Key matchups: It\u2019s clearly going to be a different matchup than the first meeting. Both teams way different than they were in week two.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">While Detroit is coming off their worse loss of the season, they are still very dangerous. The defense will have to play way better than last week to avoid another performance allowing scoring at will. Getting pressure on Jared Goff is key, which will have to come from blitzes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Chicago\u2019s DBs have to hold Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown in check way better than they did in week two.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">On offense, it\u2019s just like last week: go all gas, no brakes. Establish the run and get in rhythm early. They lost last week (and in week two) because the offense took too long to get going.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">If the Bears go on sustained drives they can keep the Lions\u2019 offense on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p>Jared Goff was sacked zero times by the Bears in week two.The first matchup led to season highs in touchdown passes and QB rating for Goff.The Lions are 7-1 when scoring more than 30 points. The one loss was a 41-34 defeat at the hands of the Rams.Detroit\u2019s three-game losing streak is their longest since a five-game losing streak during Campbell\u2019s second season as Lions coach.Opposing QBs have a 92.9 rating against Detroit this year, averaging 218.1 yards per game. The Lions have allowed four 300-yard games this season.The Lions are the only division opponent Ben Johnson has yet to beat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Can the Bears avenge their week two loss and beat the Lions to get to 12 wins? Will Caleb Williams reach the coveted 4,000 passing yards mark?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The final week of the NFL regular season and the Chicago Bears are playing for playoff seeding. This&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":647040,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2071],"tags":[7766,741,146,113,2506,7,147,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-647039","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-detroit-lions","8":"tag-chicago-bears-game-information","9":"tag-chicago-bears-news","10":"tag-detroit","11":"tag-detroit-lions","12":"tag-detroitlions","13":"tag-football","14":"tag-lions","15":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115823193178739144","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/647039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=647039"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/647039\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/647040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=647039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=647039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=647039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}