Bears vs Lions NFL Week 13 Thanksgiving picks

Thanksgiving week is here, so get ready for a whole lot of football. The NFL slate begins with a trio of Thanksgiving Day delicacies, including an afternoon showdown between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. This NFC North matchup figured to have division-title ramifications when the season kicked off, but fast forward 12 weeks and that certainly isn’t the case. The Lions are running away with it at 10-1, while the Bears are close to falling out of playoff contention at 4-7. The opening game of Week 13 and Thanksgiving Day is set for 12:30 pm ET on CBS. Let’s take a look at the Bears vs Lions best bets to be made. 

Predictions 

Pick #1 – Detroit Lions -10 over Chicago Bears (-112) 

Pick #2 – Under 48.5 (-112) 

Pick #3 – Rome Odunze Over 3.5 receptions (-125) 

PICK #1: Lions -10 over Bears (-112)

Detroit has won nine games in a row and deserves every bit of its 10-1 record. Chicago probably deserves a record better than 4-7, but you are whatever the standings say you are and this Bears team is far worse than what preseason expectations foretold. Although Chicago has lost a plethora of nail-biters, its current five-game skid also includes a 29-9 setback against the Arizona Cardinals and a 19-3 humiliation against the lowly New England Patriots. Caleb Williams and company have not scored more than 16 points in any road game this season, adding to the bleak outlook for Thursday’s trip to Detroit.

The Lions, on the other hand, are clicking on both sides of the ball. They have scored at least 42 points in four contests this year and have given up 14 points or fewer in four of the last five outings. Detroit has allowed a mere six points in each of the last two, destroying the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6 and the Indianapolis Colts 24-6. Head coach Dan Campbell’s squad has won six of its last eight by double-digits and it will likely be seven of nine following this matchup with Chicago. 

PICK #2: Under 48.5 (-112) 

Even without Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit’s defense has been outstanding. It ranks No. 5 in the NFL against the pass and No. 9 in yards per rushing attempt allowed. In other words, it’s hard to move the ball on this team in either fashion. It will be especially difficult for the Bears, whose quarterback has thrown only two touchdown passes in the last five games. Prior to putting up 27 points on the Minnesota Vikings this past weekend, Chicago had scored 15, nine, three and 19 points in its previous four outings. As for Detroit’s offense, David Montgomery and Amon-Ra St. Brown are questionable for Thursday. All things considered, the under is the more prudent play. 

PICK #3: Rome Odunze Over 3.5 receptions (-125)

There are a lot of factors that point toward success for Odunze on Thursday. First and foremost, you have to think that Chicago will be playing from behind for most if not all of the game. The visitors presumably won’t have time to put the ball on the ground and watch the clock run. Instead, expect Williams to air it out early and often. That would naturally lead to more targets and more receptions for all of his pass-catchers – Odunze included.

The 2024 first-round pick out of Washington has already been getting a sizable volume of work in recent weeks. He has been targeted 10 times in each of the last two games, making six receptions against Green Bay and five against Minnesota. Odunze should have a relatively favorable matchup on his hands, too. The Lions boast one stellar cornerback in rookie Terrion Arnold, who will likely be assigned to Bears receiver DJ Moore. Odunze may be working against CB Carlton Davis III or a backup, as Davis is questionable with a knee injury. All things considered, Odunze should be in line for a whole host of targets and at least four catches.