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The NFC North has been the Detroit Lions' for the last two years, but the Chicago Bears have won the crown in 2025 under first-year head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He has the Bears at 11-5 entering a Week 18 matchup with Detroit, and a win would have Chicago clinching the No. 2 spot in the NFC and securing a third matchup with the Green Bay Packers, this time in NFL Super Wild Card Weekend. The Lions were eliminated from playoff contention last week, but Dan Campbell has a history of having Detroit ready to play spoiler in the final week of the season.

Kickoff from Soldier Field is set for 4:25 p.m. ET. The Bears are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Lions vs. Bears odds at DraftKings, and the total is 51.5. Before making any Bears vs. Lions picks of your own, make sure to look at the top NFL picks from the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times.

Where to watch Lions vs. Bears on Sunday

When: Sunday, Jan. 4
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Stream: Fubo  
Follow along: CBS Sports App

Lions vs. Bears betting preview

Odds: Bears -4.5, over/under 51.5

Detroit dominated the previous matchup 52-21 back in Week 2, but the Bears have been red hot ever since, while the Lions need a win to finish the season over .500. The Bears are 10-5-1 against the spread this season, while the Lions are 7-9 ATS. The Lions are 10-6 to the Over this year, and the Bears are 8-8 to the Over.

Lions vs. Bears SGP

  • Lions +4.5
  • Over 51.5
  • Lions +3.5 first half spread

Bet it at DraftKings:

Model's Lions vs. Bears score prediction, picks

The SportsLine model likes backing Detroit here as the Lions cover in 51% of simulations and win outright 47% of the time. The model also expects this NFC North clash to be a high-scoring affair, with Over 50.5 hitting in nearly 60% of sims. 

Lions vs. Bears score prediction: Bears 28, Lions 27

Want more Week 18 NFL picks?

You've seen the model's best bets for Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for every Week 18 NFL game here, all from the model that's simulated every game 10,000 times.