Though the Detroit Lions (12-2 NFC North) dropped their second game of the season with a 48-42 defeat to the Bills, they have a chance to bounce back on the road this Sunday in the team's second matchup with the Chicago Bears (4-10 NFC North).
The Lions are unbeaten in NFC North games so far this season (4-0) and begin a two-game road trip with an NFC Championship rematch to follow in San Francisco. Detroit still remains atop the division and the NFC, despite Philadelphia and Minnesota's equivalent records.
Bears report: With a 30-12 Monday Night Football defeat to the Vikings, Chicago dropped its eighth straight game and hasn't won since Oct. 13 against Jacksonville. The Bears are led by Thomas Brown, who was appointed interim head coach after Matt Eberflus was relieved of his duties the day after Detroit's Thanksgiving Day win over the Bears Week 13.
Chicago has struggled offensively since Brown became interim head coach, scoring just 13 and 12 points in the team's previous two matchups against San Francisco and Minnesota, respectively. Quarterback Caleb Williams has recorded at least one touchdown pass in his previous four games, including three against Detroit on Thanksgiving, but starting running back D'Andre Swift hasn't scored a rushing touchdown in the same span.
The Bears boast the 11th ranked scoring defense in the league, limiting opponents to just over 22 points per game, though opponents have reached that threshold in the past four games. Chicago has recorded 21 takeaways, including a fumble recovery vs. Detroit in the last meeting, and has a turnover differential of plus-10.
Though Chicago is eliminated from the playoffs, the team has the potential to shake up the seeding in the NFC with matchups against Seattle and Green Bay to follow.
Last meeting: Detroit ended their seven-game Thanksgiving Day losing streak with a 23-20 win over the Bears in Week 13. After Jake Bates converted a field goal on the Lions' opening possession, quarterback Jared Goff connected with tight end Sam LaPorta for a 3-yard touchdown to complete a 90-yard drive. Bates added two more field goals to give Detroit a 16-0 halftime lead in a dominant first-half display that saw running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combine for 144 rushing yards.
Though LaPorta caught another touchdown to maintain a 23-7 lead, Chicago fought back, bringing the deficit to 23-20 on a Caleb Williams pass to DJ Moore for a touchdown. The Bears had one final opportunity to tie or win the game, but a Bears penalty, a Za’Darius Smith sack and Chicago's clock mismanagement allowed Detroit to escape with the win.
Playoff picture:
| Conference | No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 6 | No. 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | KC (13-1)** | BUF (11-3)** | PIT (10-4)* | HOU (9-5)** | BAL (9-5) | LAC (9-6) | DEN (9-6) |
| NFC | DET (12-2)* | PHI (12-2)* | TB (8-6) | LAR (8-6) | MIN (12-2)* | GB (10-4) | WAS (9-5) |
**Clinched division and playoff spot
*Clinched a playoff spot
Quick hits:
1. Williams hasn't thrown an interception in 286 pass attempts, which is an NFL rookie record and the longest active streak in the league.
2. Linebacker T.J. Edwards is 14 tackles away from becoming the second Bears player this century to register 125 tackles in back-to-back seasons.
3. Kicker Cairo Santos is one 50-plus yard field goal away for the franchise record of 50-plus yard field goals in a single season in franchise history.
Data dive:
Stats are based on Weeks 1-15 followed by the rank.
| Team | Total Offense | Total Defense | Rushing Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Defense | Passing Defense | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 403.9 (2) | 335.8 (14) | 143.7 (6) | 260.1 (2) | 101.3 (6) | 234.5 (26) | 20 (T-9) |
| Bears | 288.2 (32) | 351.1 (24) | 106.4 (21) | 181.9 (31) | 133.3 (26) | 217.8 (19) | 21 (T-7) |
Next on the schedule:
- Chicago: vs. Seattle, Dec. 26, 8:15 p.m.
- Detroit: at San Francisco, Dec. 30, 8:15 p.m.
Here are five Bears storylines to follow into Sunday afternoon's matchup:
1. Bears gear up for Week 16 showdown | Bears, etc. Podcast
Chicago Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak and radio analyst Tom Thayer welcome Lions Legend Lomas Brown to preview Sunday's NFC North matchup in Chicago. LISTEN
2. Bears' new wrinkle features DJ Moore as ballcarrier | Quick Hits
Chicago wide receiver DJ Moore notched a season-high eight receptions and rushed for 24 yards on three carries last week vs. Minnesota as the Bears look to integrate him more in the run game ahead of Sunday's game vs. Detroit. READ MORE
3. Caleb Williams media availability | Press Conference
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams addresses the media ahead of his second-ever matchup against the Lions. WATCH
4. Thomas Brown on preparing for Lions | Press Conference
Chicago Interim Head Coach Thomas Brown speaks with the media about his team's preparations for Detroit ahead of his third game as interim head coach. WATCH
5. Beatty, Washington, Hightower preview Lions matchup | Press Conference
Interim offensive coordinator Chris Beatty, defensive coordinator Eric Washington and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower address the media Thursday at Halas Hall. WATCH
