Odds Lions Beat Bears in Week 11

Predicting the odds the Lions have to beat the Bears in Week 11.

On Sunday, the Detroit Lions return to Ford Field for a Week 11 divisional matchup with the Chicago Bears.

According to SI Sportsbook, the Lions are currently 9.5-point favorites against the three-win Bears. 

Chicago, which is coming off a 16-13 win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10, has won just one road game this season. It came back in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.

Over the last four weeks, the Bears have been without starting quarterback Justin Fields, who has been recovering from a dislocated right thumb. Rookie Tyson Bagent, an undrafted free agent out of the Division II school, Shepherd University, has started in Fields’ place, and has led the Bears to a 2-2 mark.

At this present juncture, it is still uncertain whether Fields will return to action and get the start under center Sunday. Regardless of who gets the snaps at quarterback, though, Detroit is by far the superior team, and has proven that with its 7-2 start to the 2023 campaign.

The Lions, led by NFL Coach of the Year favorite Dan Campbell, presently have a one-and-a-half-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Additionally, if the NFC playoffs were to open today, Detroit would own the No. 2 seed, and would square off with the seven-seeded Vikings in the first round.

Entering this Week 11 contest, the Lions should be able to feast against a Chicago pass defense that has been putrid all season long. In fact, through 10 games, the Bears have allowed the third-most touchdowns through the air (20) and the seventh-most passing yards (2,482).

It should bode well for Lions signal-caller Jared Goff, who completed 23-of-33 passes for 333 yards and two scores in the team's 41-38 win over the L.A. Chargers in Week 10. With the performance, Goff is now Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded passer, with an overall mark of 90.6.

Goff isn't the only Lions player who could be in store for a big game Sunday, either. I'm willing to predict that David Montgomery, in his first career game against his former team, will have a solid day on the ground.

Montgomery had a field day running against the Chargers over the weekend. He ended up amassing 116 rushing yards, which was highlighted by a 75-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter. Additionally, it was his third game of the season with north of 100 yards on the ground.

I think the fifth-year back will be highly motivated to run all over the Bears Sunday. And, it's why I believe you can pencil him in for at least 70 rushing yards against his former employer.

On the heels of productive games from Goff, Montgomery and the Lions’ offense as a whole, I think Detroit has a legitimate shot to win by two scores in its Week 11 tilt with Chicago.

And, at this current juncture, I'll give the Lions a 95 percent chance to prevail victorious against the Bears.