The NFC North has been claimed by the Detroit Lions for the past two years, but the Chicago Bears, led by their first-year head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, captured the title in 2025. The Bears enter the Week 18 showdown with an impressive record of 11-5, and a victory would ensure a No. 2 seed in the NFC, setting up a playoff rematch against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. Meanwhile, despite being eliminated from playoff contention last week, Dan Campbell and the Lions have a reputation for being a tough opponent, especially in the season’s final week.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 PM ET at Soldier Field. The Bears are favored by 4.5 points, with total points set at 51.5. Before placing your own bets on the Bears vs. Lions game, check out expert NFL picks from the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every game 10,000 times.
Where to Watch Lions vs. Bears on Sunday
- When: Sunday, Jan. 4
- Time: 4:25 PM ET
- TV: FOX
- Stream: Fubo
- Follow Along: CBS Sports App
Betting Preview
- Odds: Bears -4.5, Over/Under 51.5
The Lions triumphed over the Bears in their previous encounter with a score of 52-21 in Week 2. However, the Bears have performed exceptionally well since then, while the Lions aim for a winning record to conclude their season. The Bears currently hold a 10-5-1 record against the spread, while the Lions sit at 7-9. Additionally, the Lions have gone 10-6 on the points over this season, with the Bears at 8-8.
Score Prediction
The SportsLine model favors the Lions, showing they cover in 51% of simulations and win outright 47% of the time. Expect this NFC North clash to be high-scoring, with the total exceeding 50.5 points in nearly 60% of simulations.
Predicted Score: Bears 28, Lions 27.
If you want additional insights and picks for Week 18 NFL games, check here for against-the-spread, total, and money-line predictions, all based on the model that simulates every match 10,000 times.
