Late-breaking news heading into the NFL week 11 Lions at Bears free pick sees Detroit QB Matthew Stafford missing the game as he couldn’t be cleared for back/hip injuries. That gives a huge advantage to Chicago – who was already a -3 home favorite in trying to stop a 4-game losing skid. Now Detroit sends a backup QB with 5 career starts into Soldier Field to face the Bears defense. What’s the number that would make you feel comfortable taking the Lions as the line has jumped to CHI -6.5?
Detroit Turns to Driskel
In Stafford’s absence, the Lions will turn to 2nd year signal caller Jeff Driskel in the NFL week 10 Lions at Bears free pick. He hasn’t taken a snap this season for Detroit, but did get in 9 games of action last year with Cincinnati. That includes 5 starts. Even though the Bengals were 1-4 over that span, Driskel completed nearly 60% of his passes on the year and had 6 TD to 2 INT. Driskel had just 764 yards passing total in those 5 starts though.
Detroit’s top 3 passing offense obviously takes a hit with Stafford out of the lineup. It was an area coach Matt Patricia had hope to attack the Bears because Chicago doesn’t’ give up much on the ground, ranking 7th in the league vs. the rush. Kenny Golladay had put up 120+ yards receiving in 3 of 4 but will he have the same chemistry with a backup? Kerryon Johnson is out indefinitely with a knee injury with means the Lions have turned to J.D. McKissic and Ty Johnson who had just 61 yards on a combined 13 carries last week vs. the Raiders.
Driskel may also be with a limited T.J. Hockenson as the reliable tight end is probable but battling a back injury. All of these offensive woes puts a huge strain on a Detroit defense that is 31st in the league in total yards allowed at 424 per game. The Lions are 2nd worse vs. the pass – but Chicago has nearly no air attack.
Pressure Too Much for Chicago?
Chicago gets a break in the NFL week 10 Lions at Bears free pick but this is a team that continually disappoints no matter the situation. In the last four games Chicago lost in London to the Raiders, fell down 36-10 by the 4th quarter at home vs. New Orleans, missed a last second FG in a game the Chargers continually tried to give away, and had a whopping 160 yards of offense and still only lost to Philadelphia by one score.
The hometown Bears crowd has completely turned on QB Mitch Trubisky and coach Matt Nagy for that matter. How could you not after the team just had their worst offensive performance in the last 40 years in the loss to the Eagles? Chicago went three-and-out on each of their first 5 possesions in that game and had a total of -15 yards gained. The Detroit defense isn’t very good – but neither is the Bears offense. The disgruntled crowd also creates a home field ‘dis’ advantage for the offense.
Chicago’s offensive woes also equates to their defense struggling late in games too because they are on the field the whole game. Philadelphia held the ball 21 minutes to the Bears 9 in the 1st half last week but still only led 12-0. Chicago has had to face huge lopsided TOP battles in losses to the Eagles (40 minutes / 20), Saints (38 / 22), and Raiders (35 / 25).
NFL Week 11 Lions at Bears Free Pick
Chicago should be able to play very downhill against a Detroit team that may not even be one-dimensional on Sunday. What can the Bears’ offense do though? Chicago won two higher scoring games a year ago vs. Detroit, 34-22 in Chicago and 23-16 in Detroit on Thanksgiving. All the points will come on the Bears side on Sunday, and it doesn’t look like it will be many.
Pick: Lions / Bears *Under* 39
