NFL Football
2025-09-14 - Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 2
Sunday 14th September 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
6pm (British Time)
Preview
Two NFC North rivals will be looking to bounce back from opening defeats when the Detroit Lions (0-1) host the Chicago Bears (0-1). Making this game perhaps even more important is the fact that both the Lions and Bears were beaten by the other two teams that make up the Division and so there is a fear of falling considerably behind already.
0-2 is no longer fatal when it comes to teams making the Playoffs, but also being 0-2 within a Division would make things all the tougher.
The Lions looked really poor Offensively in the defeat to the Packers and they will be going up against former Offensive Co-Ordinator Ben Johnson, who will know what to expect from his former team. However, the Lions may also feel that they are not playing a Defensive unit nearly as good as Green Bay have looked through the first two games of the season.
Jared Goff will be hoping the Detroit Offensive Line can bounce back from what was a poor opening game.
Losing Frank Ragnow in the off-season is clearly a blow, but there is still a lot to like about this Detroit Offensive Line and they can bounce back after the last outing. Opening up the running lanes for two very good Running Backs will only help Jared Goff, while the Lions will have taken note of how effective JJ McCarthy was in the second half as he helped the Minnesota Vikings turn things around at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football.
Chicago struggled to contain the run last week and the Detroit Lions can show a lot more on this side of the ball in this game.
If they can get back to what they have done best under Head Coach Dan Campbell, Detroit should establish the run and that should only make things easier for Jared Goff. He was under immense pressure in the defeat to the Green Bay Packers, and the Bears showed they have a decent pass rush in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but Jared Goff will not have to hold onto the ball for too long if his team are in third and manageable spots as expected.
Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears will also be hoping for better having struggled to move the ball with consistency, despite having a lead against the Vikings.
The Head Coach will know that this Lions Defensive unit is expected to be better after injuries decimated them last season and Detroit played pretty well on this side of the ball in the defeat to the Packers.
Caleb Williams was given time to make plays, but his Offensive Line will have to try and help the team establish the run with more consistency than what was seen on Monday Night Football. If the Quarter Back is behind the chains, Williams will have to make the right decisions when throwing against this healthier Secondary and to avoid turnovers, which could be fatal.
The Bears do have a decent record when visiting the Detroit Lions in recent seasons, at least when it comes to the spread, but they are facing an angry host.
Dan Campbell's record against the spread following a defeat is very impressive in his time with Detroit and his team have covered in the next game after a defeat ten straight times. They do have a big game coming up against the Baltimore Ravens, but this is a much more important game for the Lions and they should be able to get the better of their former Offensive Co-Ordinator with a win and cover of the line set for this Week 2 game.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Detroit Lions 27-20 Chicago Bears
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Detroit Lions - 6.5 Points at -105 with EveryGame Sportsbook
