While most are settling in around their holiday meal, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions will be kicking off the first of three games on Thursday. The two have met 14 times on Thanksgiving, including the Lions' first time as host in 1934. The teams have split the series and will be meeting on the holiday for the first time since 1999.
A few weeks ago, the Lions looked like a lock for the postseason. However, two straight losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots put them on the outside looking in, as the Green Bay Packers now control the NFC North with a one-game lead. All is not lost for Detroit though, as a favorable outcome on Thursday could put them back in the hunt as a wild-card hopeful.
Chicago has no realistic designs on the playoffs at 5-6. The Bears have been buried by poor defense, a unit which ranks 30th in points allowed per game at 27.5. The offense has also been spotty despite a host of talented playmakers, including Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler. Cutler has been sacked 26 times behind a suspect offensive line and thrown 12 interceptions, only three fewer than Blake Bortles.
Matthew Stafford appears poised for a bounce-back effort after playing the worst game of his season on Sunday against New England. Stafford was 18-of-46 for 264 yards with an interception, giving him 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on the season. Luckily for Detroit, Chicago ranks 29th in yards against per attempt at 8.1.
How to Watch
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
When: 12:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Radio: Bears Radio Network, Lions Radio Network
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds
Detroit is favored by seven points at home over Chicago, with an over/under of 47.5, according to OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Gridiron.
To keep up on the Lions, head over to Pride of Detroit.