Bears vs Lions Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets for Thanksgiving Day

Parker's Prediction: D'Andre Swift has proven to be a key piece in Chicago's offense, and with Detroit set to bring the pressure, the RB will see plenty of checkdown opportunities which he can turn into big gains.

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst
Nov 28, 2024 • 11:16 ET • 4 min read
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This article contains predictions for an old game!

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The Detroit Lions roll into this afternoon's CBS Thanksgiving Day game with a nine-game winning streak, and bettors must be thankful for their 9-2 record against the spread. Even better, they draw the struggling Chicago Bears at Ford Field on the short week. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on CBS.

My Bears vs. Lions predictions focus on the passing attacks of both clubs and are headlined by Chicago running back D'Andre Swift in his first game against his former team.

Bears vs Lions predictions

Who will win Bears vs Lions?

Prediction: The Detroit Lions are steamrolling opponents to the tune of a 10-1 record while covering the number in nine of 11. They’re a warranted double-digit home favorite, and I expect them to pick up win No. 11 in convincing fashion against the Chicago Bears. 

My best bet
Pick: D'Andre Swift Over 13.5 receiving yards (-113 at FanDuel)

My analysis
D'Andre Swift has been a fixture in the aerial attack and recorded 22+ receiving yards in seven of 11 games for an average of 2.8 receptions and 25.3 yards per contest. 

It’s nothing new, either. He's racked up 226 receptions for 1,690 yards across his five-year career, which includes an impressive average of 8.3 yards after the catch per reception.

With the Chicago Bears double-digit road underdogs, I expect them to be in a lot of passing situations against the Detroit Lions.

The Lions also have the fourth-highest quarterback pressure percentage and PFF pass-rush grade, so QB Caleb Williams turning to Swift multiple times through the air is a means to help mitigate the Detroit pass rush. 

The Lions have already allowed seven running backs to record 23 or more receiving yards against them through 11 games, too, and Swift has traded with a receiving yards total as high as 19.5 in Week 8.

There will be perfect conditions inside Ford Field on Thursday, and Swift has already played three indoor games this season. He’s gone Over this receiving yards total in each for an average of four receptions for 25.7 yards.

Make sure this prop is on your NFL picks card.

Get more analysis from Jason by watching the Sharp 600 podcast!

Get more Thanksgiving Day picks and Week 13 best bets from Jason — and co-host Todd Fuhrman — by checking out the Sharp 600 podcast!

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Bears vs Lions same-game parlay

D'Andre Swift Over 13.5 receiving yards

Jared Goff Over 243.5 passing yards

Jameson Williams Over 47.5 receiving yards

Jared Goff has been slightly better at Ford Field this season, with an average of 262.6 passing yards per game compared to 241.3 on the road. He’s also thrown for a career-high 9.1 yards per attempt and an 80.1 adjusted completion percentage.

A real draw here is the reeling Bears pass defense, too. 

Chicago has surrendered the second-highest YPA to opposing quarterbacks while surrendering the eighth-highest dropback success rate since Week 8 — including Sam Darnold chucking it around for 330 yards and 9.7 per attempt Sunday, while Jordan Love threw for 261 and a 15.4 YPA in Week 11.

It also hasn’t been the No. 1 wide receivers doing damage against the Bears, which is why I’m targeting Detroit No. 2 Jameson Williams with the final leg of this same-game parlay.

He’s caught 12 of 18 targets for 241 yards across three games while clearing this total in each since returning from a two-game suspension, and he’s also gone Over his total in this market in seven of nine games for the season.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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More Bears vs Lions picks from Covers


Bears vs Lions odds

Bears vs Lions live odds

Bears vs Lions opening odds

  • Spread: Chicago +10.5 (-110) | Detroit -10.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Chicago +425 | Detroit -575
  • Over/Under: Over 47.5 (-110) | Under 47.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel.

Bears vs Lions spread and Over/Under analysis

  • Following an initial action on Detroit -10.5, there’s been buy on the Chicago side, and I expect this spread will lose the hook, and Lions -10 will be available through FanDuel at some point before kickoff.

  • The vig is shaded to -122 on the Bears +10.5 side, after all. Still, 64% of wagers are on the Lions, according to Covers Consensus

  • There has been movement to the Over at FanDuel, with the opening 47.5 total climbing to 48.5 on Monday. Covers Consensus is seeing 68% of wagers on that side of the total.

  • With the highlighted struggles of the Chicago pass defense and the Lions pacing the NFL in points, I’m not surprised by the early move to the Over. Just note: this is also the highest total of the season for the Bears.

Bears vs Lions betting trend to know

D'Andre Swift has recorded 22+ receiving yards in seven of 11 games for an average of 25.3 yards per contest. Find more NFL betting trends for Bears vs. Lions.

How to watch Bears vs Lions game info

Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Date: Thursday, 11-28, 2024
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS

Bears vs Lions latest injuries

Bears vs Lions weather

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Covers Beat The Experts - US Thanksgiving

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Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.

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