Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Oct. 3, 2021

Stuart Durst
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

NFC North teams collide in Chicago Sunday afternoon as the Detroit Lions face the Chicago Bears from Solider Field. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX.

Score Prediction: Chicago 16, Detroit 13

Best Bet: Lions +3

Best Bet: Deandre Swift (DET/RB) Over 33.5 receiving yards

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Predictions

Last week, we successfully hit the Lions at +8 against the Ravens and I’m looking to ride hot with these underdogs again. The Bears are in a bit of a weird situation, as they have a full quarterback room and coach Matt Nagy having no clue what to do with them. People are already calling for him to be fired and I don't think those people are wrong, as he laid out one of the worst game plans I've ever seen for a rookie quarterback. Both of these teams are bad, the Bears are getting -3 due to home field advantage so I'll take the points with the Lions here.

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC North
• Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021
• Venue: Solider Field
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-3
• ATS: 2-1
• O/U: 2-1
• ATS - Home: 2-0
• ATS - Away: 0-1

The Lions faced a tough loss to the Ravens last week, but we have seen one consistent thing - these guys are fighters. In Week 1 they were down almost 30 points to the 49ers and still battled back to make it a close game. In prime-time against the Packers, they played a competitive game where they were in the fight for three quarters. Then last week they hung with the Ravens and only lost based on a 60 yard field goal from the best kicker of all time.

A lot of people made fun of Dan Campbell before the season, calling him a joke or a clown. If we’ve seen anything so far this season its that he has these guys fighting. The Ravens have a history of demolishing bad teams and the way the Lions were able to contain them, despite the huge talent disparity, was impressive. After top CB Jeffery Okudah went down with a season ending injury, and this team's secondary is lacking a lot of depth, if there's a way to beat the Lions it's with a dynamic offense.

That being said, I'm not sure the Bears have the dynamic offense that's here to take advantage of the Lions biggest weakness. I don't think the Lions will win this one, but with some solid momentum from these last couple weeks I feel pretty good about them covering the +3 number.

Chicago Bears Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-2
• ATS: 1-2
• O/U: 1-2
• ATS - Home: 1-0
• ATS - Away: 0-2

There is some good news for the Bears here. Their defensive unit is definitely the strongest unit in this game. They stayed fairly competitive against the Browns last week, despite the lack of successful offensive drives. Khalil Mack is still one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the league and the secondary is playing above expectation so far.

On offense, this team was dreadful last week. Justin Fields was pressured on almost every play and was decimated by the Browns defensive line. The most mind blowing fact was simply that they have a mobile quarterback and seemingly didn't have any sort of plan to use his strengths. Rather than pushing the pocket, getting out in space and letting him make plays with his legs they treated him like he was a 35-year-old Andy Dalton.

It's unclear who will start this week, but it seems to be leaning towards Fields as we get closer to game time. It seems like Nagy has given up play calling duties again, which is good news for Bears fans across the country. I think the Bears do end up winning the game, but I'm not willing to lay 3 points on them. I think we may see the first coaching change of the year fairly soon.

The Chicago Bears have gone OVER the point total in five of its last six games when facing the NFC. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Detroit Lions

• Record: 0-3
• Division Standing: 4th - NFC North
• Points Scored: 67
• Points Allowed: 95
• PS/G: 22.3 (19th)
• PA/G: 31.7 (31st)

Inside the Stats - Chicago Bears

• Record: 1-2
• Division Standing: 2nd - NFC North
• Points Scored: 40
• Points Allowed: 77
• PS/G: 13.3 (31st)
• PA/G: 25.7 (19th)

Key Players to Watch

• DET: D'Andre Swift - RB (33 carries, 123 yards, TD)
• DET: Jared Goff - QB (86/123, 801 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT)
• CHI: Roquan Smith - LB (30 tackles, INT, TD)
• CHI: Robert Quinn - DL (3.5 sacks)

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Betting Conclusion

Lions +3 is a great play and hopefully it just keeps getting bigger, getting the hook on +3.5 would be very nice. For player props, I'm sensing a lot of UNDER plays here. Bad teams have historically been able to score a lot of points on each other, but both of these teams have a lot of weaknesses.

The only prop I have for this game so far is Lions RB Deandre Swift OVER 33.5 receiving yards at -115. Coach Campbell just said he wants to get him more involved since he’s healthier now, and he already has 65, 41, and 60 receiving yards in his three games this season. Similar to Kareem Hunt (74 vs CHI) he is running legitimate routes not just dump offs. Weird Bears MU but a great number.

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Betting Trends

• Detroit has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five road games.
• Detroit has seen the point total go OVER in four of its last five road games.
• Chicago has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
• Chicago has lost four of its last six home games.
• Chicago has gone UNDER the point total in 15 of its last 20 home games.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff