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Lions vs Bears preview, prediction, betting odds and live stream info

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) turns with the ball during the fourth quarter as San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) looks on at Ford Field. Lions win 32-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) turns with the ball during the fourth quarter as San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) looks on at Ford Field. Lions win 32-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears

Heading into the final game of the regular season, both the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are playing for more than you would think just by looking at their records. No, a playoff appearance isn’t in the cards, but these two are battling for third place in the NFC North, trying to avoid the lowly last place distinction that no team desires.

There are positives to coming in last, though. Getting a higher draft pick is one, but coming back the next year and getting vengeance is another.

Going from playoffs to possibly last place, the Lions will be fighting hard to ensure Jim Caldwell comes back next year and that Matthew Stafford remains the starting quarterback. The Bears are just happy that their once disastrous 2015 outlook has been weathered and a 7-9 finish to the year is possible.

Who will win Sunday afternoon’s matchup between these two 6-9 squads, though?

Details for Sunday’s Lions vs Bears game are below:

Date: Sunday, Jan. 3
Start Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Chicago, IL
Stadium: Soldier Field
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go
Radio: For Lions radio affiliates, click here. For Bears radio affiliates, click here.

Keys to Victory

Detroit Lions

Gaining some confidence heading into the 2016 offseason, Matthew Stafford should go at the Bears’ secondary, and often. Ever since Jim Bob Cooter took over as the offensive coordinator, he has been performing better, so this could be somewhat of a tryout for his future with this team. If the Lions want to win, they’ll need him to be able to sling it at will.

Also, get Ameer Abdullah going in the run game as he’s the back of the future and the most electric one the Lions have, along with Theo Riddick. Offense is going to win this one.

Chicago Bears

With Matt Forte listed as questionable for this one and the Bears looking to possibly move on to Jeremy Langford next season and beyond, the rookie running back is going to need a big day on the ground and catching the ball out of the backfield in order for Chicago to win.

Get Langford the ball and see what he can do with it. Having him gain some momentum in this one will work wonders on the scoreboard and add another dimension to the offense.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Lions -1
Moneyline: Lions -113, Bears +103
O/U: 45.5

Prediction

Playing for his job for the coming seasons, Matthew Stafford is going to light up the stat sheet against an average defense. He will pass for over 300 yards and three scores while Jeremy Langford has a big game for the Bears on the other side. Like most of the games in this rivalry, it will be close until the very end, but the Lions pull out their seventh victory of the 2015 season.

Final Score: Lions 28, Bears 24

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