NFL.com's Picks (Detroit Lions 24, Chicago Bears 22: This is a dangerous matchup for the Bears, who are humming right now. Going into Detroit on a short week will be at least as difficult as -- if not more difficult than -- hosting the Vikings last week. Couple that with the fact that Chicago is in line to start Chase Daniel, who at best squeezed in a few walkthroughs before flying out to face a division rival, and you can clearly see the uphill challenge facing Matt Nagy and staff. The Lions played at home Sunday, snapping a three-game losing streak by building an early lead over the Panthers with balanced offense and holding on late. Unfortunately for Detroit, with Kerryon Johnson (knee sprain) out, Chicago's pass rush won't have to hesitate on its way to the pocket. The Bears have already posted 32 sacks (tied for fifth in the NFL). Was feeling a Bears road win, but Matthew Stafford has played well since that opening Monday night disaster ... except for two weeks ago against the Bears. The advantage over Daniel is too much. Thus, I'm taking Detroit at home.):
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000990950/article/nfl-week-12-game-picks-vikes-top-pack-texans-colts-stay-hot
SI Picks (CHICAGO BEARS (7–3) at DETROIT LIONS (4–6)
Bears offense vs. Lions defense: When these teams met just over a week ago, the Bears frequently aligned in a formation some call “speed trips,” with three wide receivers to one side of the field and athletic tight end Trey Burton by himself on the other. From there the Bears shrewdly isolated individual Lions defenders and featured intertwined routes that complicated Detroit’s man coverages. Look for this formation again on Thursday, and look for the usual heavy dosage of misdirection concepts involving Tarik Cohen. Detroit’s second-year linebacker Jarrad Davis has scintillating talent but isn’t always comfortable processing information. Lions offense vs. Bears defense: When Detroit has struggled this November, it’s been against quality zone defenses. The Bears, with their blurry, deceptive two-deep safety looks, are one of football’s best zone units. Strong coverage was behind many of their six sacks on Stafford in Week 10. The Lions will try to get the ball out quickly and over the middle, where Stafford can deal with Chicago’s linebackers instead of safeties. That means a prominent role for injured Kerryon Johnson’s replacement Theo Riddick, who has returned to the backfield after a two-week trial in the slot following the Golden Tate trade. Prediction: Lions 24, Bears 20 (an atrociously unfair short week schedule for the Bears, who played the latest game last Sunday and now travel to play the earliest game on Thursday.):
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/11/22/nfl-thanksgiving-games-picks-predictions-bears-lions-redskins-cowboys-falcons-saints
CBS Prisco Picks (Lions 23 Bears 20: The Bears are riding high and they are playing great defense, which will challenge the Lions offensive line. The Lions have won four of their last five on Thanksgiving, and I think with a nice game from Matt Stafford they will make it five of six. With Chase Daniel almost certainly in as quarterback for the Bears, it gives the Lions a little more an edge. I liked the Lions in an upset even if Trubisky played.):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/prisco/picks
NFL RealGM Picks (Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (+3.5): The Bears get shafted by their own success. When the league flexed their Week 11 game to primetime Sunday night, they gave Chicago the shortest possible turnaround time to play. This game kicks at 12:30 p.m. ET, or 11:30 a.m. Chicago time. Their game on Sunday night ended at 11:30 p.m. ET. Detroit’s finished some eight hours earlier, and they have the benefit of not needing to travel or change time zones. The Lions also have the advantage of a healthy quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky is unlikely to play for the Bears. While the Lions will miss impressive rookie RB Kerryon Johnson, Matthew Stafford remains the steering wheel for the Ford Field faithful. He’ll drive Detroit to another win over a team with a winning record, their fifth on the season. Lions 20, Bears 17):
https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3101/Football-Meteorology-For-NFL-Week-12
PFT’S THANKSGIVING DAY PICKS (Bears at Lions - MDS’s take: The Lions looked absolutely dreadful in Chicago on November 11. Can home-field advantage make that big a difference? I think the Lions will play more competitively at home, but not well enough to win. MDS’s pick: Bears 24, Lions 21. Florio’s take: The Lions seem to have a little extra something on Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving, a win would pull them closer toward a possible playoff berth. After beating the Panthers on Sunday, Detroit could have a surprise for a Bears team that played a hard-fought game against the Vikings late into Sunday night. Florio’s pick: Lions 24, Bears 22.):
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/21/pfts-thanksgiving-day-picks/
Freep Picks (Lions 22, Bears 21; Bears 28, Lions 24; Bears 27, Lions 20; Bears 24, Lions 16):
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/11/21/detroit-lions-chicago-bears-picks-thanksgiving/2071113002/
CBS Breech's Picks (The pick: Bears 30-20 over Lions (with Trubisky) -- Bears 27-20 over Lions (without Trubisky)):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-12-picks-saints-and-falcons-get-in-thanksgiving-shootout-packers-upset-vikings/
CBS Wilson's Picks (Chicago (-3.5) at Detroit
Game info: Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS (stream on CBS All Access or fuboTV, try it for free): The Bears are coming off their most impressive win of the season and while Mitchell Trubisky wasn't flawless, he at times looked capable of becoming the franchise quarterback general manager Ryan Pace envisioned when he drafted him second overall in 2017. Unfortunately, a right-shoulder injury will limit Trubisky ahead of Thursday's Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Lions and there's apparently a pretty good chance backup Chase Daniel is forced into duty. But Daniel knows coach Matt Nagy's offense well from their time together in Kansas City and at this stage of their respective careers, Daniel could be more consistent than Trubisky. Added bonus: Chicago owns the league's best defense. Either way, this is a huge NFC North matchup with playoff implications. Pick: Bears 17, Lions 10):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/week-12-nfl-odds-picks-steelers-beat-broncos-packers-get-by-vikings-browns-upset-bengals/
SN Iyer's Picks (Chicago Bears (-4.5) at Detroit Lions: This might feel like a Bear trap after Chicago's emotional win at home over Minnesota, now playing on a short week in the division on the road. But then the Lions will be without their key offensive player, running back Kerryon Johnson. That leaves little to help Matthew Stafford survive Khalil Mack and the Bears' pass rush. On the other side, Mitchell Trubisky will find favorable matchups against Detroit’s defense, even with Darius Slay playing in this game. Chicago will spoil the tradition for the host and continue its strong march toward its first NFC North title in eight years. PICK: Bears win 30-20 and cover the spread.):
http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-thanksgiving-games-picks-predictions-point-spreads-lines-falcons-saints/6b640k6xenyz1j9ljj42745ik
SN Steele's Picks (Chicago Bears (7-3) at Detroit Lions (4-6): The Bears' drubbing of the Lions at Soldier Field a week and a half ago became infamous as the Cody Parkey game, as he hit the upright on two field goals and two extra points. The Bears would be thrilled with a repeat of that many chances again; behind Mitchell Trubisky, they pretty much scored at will. And if the defense makes a wreck of Matthew Stafford the way they did then, and did last Sunday night to Kirk Cousins, this could be a result America is familiar with and accustomed to every year. Prediction: Bears, 36-16):
http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-thanksgiving-game-picks-predictions-cowboys-redskins-bears-lions/3l8ht2x0ytac1fjoefi55mxbd
Detroit News predictions: Lions vs. Bears (Bears, 17-14; Bears, 20-17; Bears, 24-16):
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/11/21/detroit-news-predictions-lions-vs-bears/2082813002/
USA Today Picks (2 pick the Lions, 3 pick the Bears):
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/11/21/usa-today-week-12-nfl-picks-predictions-thanksgiving/2082304002/
CBS Picks (2 pick the Lions, 6 pick the Bears):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks/straight-up/12
Average Score Prediction (395-331/17): 23-19. 19 experts pick the Bears to win, 9 experts pick the Lions to win.
