The Detroit Lions have lost four of their last six road games against the Chicago Bears and, despite being on top of the NFC, potentially enter their Sunday trip to Chicago in a precarious situation.
That’s because Detroit (12-2) knows as much about injuries as it does about wins, even if Chicago’s widespread pain stretches several months since the Bears’ last win.
Lions running back David Montgomery (sprained MCL) and defensive tackle Aleem McNeil (torn ACL) suffered season-ending knee injuries in last week’s home loss against the Buffalo Bills, while cornerback Carlton Davis III suffered a fractured jaw. Gaya and he is out indefinitely.
Montgomery is reportedly seeking a third opinion on his knee injury and is on the Week 16 injury report but is not yet on injured reserve.
For coach Dan Campbell, setbacks shouldn’t equate to sympathy, especially as the Lions control their way to the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
“No one will give us a pass or put an asterisk next to (our) record,” Campbell said. “So, what this means is that some people are going to get an incredible opportunity.”
Detroit’s 11-game winning streak ended with a 48–42 loss against Buffalo, but the Lions are still headed to a bid for a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the conference playoffs.
Their second loss of the season left the NFC North-leading Lions tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and North rival Minnesota Vikings. However, the Lions can earn the top seed with wins against the reeling Bears (4-10), San Francisco 49ers (6-8) and Vikings to finish the regular season.
“There’s a lot of football left and I think we’re looking forward to it, to be honest,” Campbell said. “You pick yourself up, you dust yourself off and you go back to basics, man. Get back to work.”
Chicago returns home to try to end an eight-game losing streak. This run included a 23–20 loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day that led to the firing of Bears third-year coach Matt Eberflus the following day.
Playing under interim head coach Thomas Brown over the past two weeks, the Bears lost lopsided road games at San Francisco 38–13 and Minnesota 30–12. Chicago has been outscored 53-0 in the first half of its last three contests.
Brown ensured that “our people continue to fight” and pledged to “continue to fight for them and be behind them.”
Bears realize their chances of demonstrating that resilience are diminishing.
“Certainly the players have got a responsibility to make plays, and I know nobody is intentionally trying to make plays,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “Everyone’s goal is to be the best and try to make their mark. It’s not going our way.”
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, is determined to further his development regardless of the results. Chicago was just 1 of 12 on third down against Minnesota and has struggled with defense all season. The Bears’ 58 sacks are tied with the Cleveland Browns for most in the NFL. Protecting Williams could be a concern, even if the Lions are short on forward talent.
Left tackle Braxton Jones (concussion), left guard Taven Jenkins (calf) and offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion) all sat out the Bears’ practice on Wednesday.
“You motivate yourself, you encourage yourself. You have positive affirmations that you say to yourself,” Williams said. “With that, it makes those days better, it makes those days a little easier when you’re going through tough times, it makes those days a little easier instead of dragging yourself down, telling yourself that That you are this and that.”
Detroit has won four of five overall against Chicago, with three of those contests decided by five points or less.
The Lions lead the NFL in scoring with an average of 32.8 points per game. Quarterback Jared Goff had a career-best performance with five touchdown passes against Buffalo. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 14 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown, while Jahmir Gibbs contributed with a rushing and receiving TD.
Safety Brian Branch (calf) and left guard Graham Glasgow (knee) did not practice for the Lions on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
