Final score prediction for Bears vs. Lions Week 14 game

Believe it or not, the Chicago Bears’ 2023 playoff hopes are still alive, even at 4-8. And they’ll get a massive boost if they defeat the Detroit Lions (9-3) at Soldier Field in Week 14.

Can the Bears pull off the home upset? Not according to league experts, 93% of whom selected the Lions to pad their lead in the NFC North.

But those same experts seem to have a short memory. It wasn’t that long ago (Week 11) that the Bears had a 12-point lead over the Lions with just four minutes left to play. Sure, coach Matt Eberflus choked. Luke Getsy choked. It was an overall group choke effort. But the Bears should’ve won the game.

Those experts also seem to ignore the opposite direction the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are going in. The Lions haven’t been nearly as effective or dominant as they were earlier in the season, while the Bears suddenly boast one of the best defenses in the NFL and could easily be 5-3 over their last eight games.

Still, there is some logic in the Lions being the preferred choice. They have one of the more exciting offenses in the NFL. Detroit ranks second in passing, fourth in rushing, and sixth in scoring. Eberflus’ defense will have its work cut out for them again on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions’ defense isn’t all that bad, either. They’re fifth against the run but have been vulnerable against the pass (21st) and rank in the bottom 10 in points allowed (23rd). Justin Fields will get his opportunities to make plays, when he does, he’ll have to take full advantage.

One thing Chicago won’t have as an excuse in Week 14 is injuries. They’re the healthiest they’ve been all season. That’s the good news.

The bad news? The Bears haven’t been very good after a bye week. They’ve lost nine straight games following a bye, with their last win coming under the infamous Marc Trestman back in 2013.

I think that streak will come to an end in 2023.

The Bears are playing with the kind of confidence usually reserved for teams on a fast track to the playoffs. They’re playing hard for Eberflus. They are rallying behind Fields. And the energy Montez Sweat has brought to the roster is very real, the defensive turnaround since his arrival isn’t a coincidence.

What the Chicago Bears are missing right now is a signature victory in 2023. A win at home over the Detroit Lions would be just that, and it will keep the arrow pointing up for this entire regime.

FINAL SCORE:

Chicago Bears 27 Detroit Lions 24