Lions vs. Bears: NFL Betting Preview – September 13, 2020

Written By Staff | Last Updated September 9, 2020

The Detroit Lions (0-0) are three-point favorites when they host the Chicago Bears (0-0) in an NFC North matchup on Sunday, September 13. An over/under of 44.5 is set in the contest.

The betting insights in this article reflect betting data from DraftKings Sportsbook as of September 8, 2020, 1:51 PM ET. See table below for current betting odds and CLICK HERE to bet at DraftKings.

Lions vs. Bears odds

Total Facts

In 2019, Detroit and its opponents combined to score more than 44.5 in eight games (50% of matchups).
In four games last season (25% of games), the Bears combined with their opponents to go over 44.5 points.
Last season, the two teams averaged a combined 38.8 points per contest– 5.7 fewer than the total for this matchup.
These two teams combined to yield 45 points per game last season, which is 0.5 greater than the total for this matchup.
The points total average for Lions games last season was 47.8– 3.3 points higher than this over/under.
The over/under for this game is 8.4 points higher than the average scoring total for Bears games last season (36.1).

Lions Betting Insights

10 of Detroit’s 16 opportunities last year went over the point total.
Detroit put together a losing 6-10 record against the spread (ATS) last year.
The Lions had a losing ATS record of 0-2 when playing as at least three-point favorites last season.

Bears Betting Insights

Chicago struggled against the spread last season, covering in only four out of 16 games.
When facing a line of +3 or greater last year, the Bears were unable to cover in six games out of eight chances.
Chicago only hit the over in 42.9% of games last season.

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Lions vs Bears: Last 5 Meetings

In the past five meetings, Chicago holds a 4-1 record against Detroit.
The Lions have covered two times in those games.
Chicago has scored 111 points in the last five meetings while only giving up 91 to Detroit

When the Lions Have the Ball

The Bears defense allowed 18.6 points per game last season; the Lions scored 21.3 points per game.
Detroit was 2-5-1 overall and 3-4 ATS when they scored at least 21.3 points last season.
Chicago was 5-3 overall and 2-3-1 ATS last season in games where they allowed fewer than 18.6 points.
The Bears defense surrendered an average of 324.1 yards per game last season– 22.7 yards fewer than the average from the Lions offense (346.8).
Detroit’s record last season when they reached their season average in total yards: 1-6-1 overall and 2-4-1 ATS.
When Chicago allowed fewer total yards to opposing offenses than their season average, they were 1-5 ATS and 3-4 overall last season.
The Bears defense gave up an average of 102 yards per game to opposing running games last season. That total is similar to the rushing output for the Lions (103.1 yards per game).
When Detroit rushed for at least 103.1 yards last season, they were 0-5-1 overall and 3-2 ATS.
Chicago was 3-2-1 ATS and 5-3 overall in games where their opponents rushed for fewer than 102 yards.
The Bears forced roughly the same amount of turnovers per game (1.2) as the Lions offense committed (1.4).
Detroit was 1-7 overall and 4-3-1 ATS last season when they turned the ball over 1.4 times or fewer.
Chicago was 2-3 ATS and 3-2 overall last season when they forced at least 1.2 turnovers in a game.

When the Bears Have the Ball

The Bears scored 8.9 fewer points per game last year (17.5) than the Lions gave up (26.4).
Chicago went 2-5-1 ATS and 6-2 overall a season ago when the team recorded at least 17.5 points.
Last season, Detroit had a 3-4 record ATS and a 2-5-1 record overall in games when it held opponents to 21.3 or fewer points.
The Bears gained 102.6 fewer yards per game in 2019 (297.7), than the Lions gave up per outing (400.3).
In games Detroit held its opponents to 400.3 or fewer yards last year, it had a 1-4-1 record ATS and a 2-4-1 record overall.
Last season, the Bears racked up 91.1 yards per game on the ground– 24.8 fewer per game than the Lions allowed per outing (115.9).
Last year, Chicago had a 1-4 ATS record and a 3-3 overall record in games the team rushed for at least 91.1 yards.
Last season, Detroit went 1-4-1 ATS and 1-5-1 overall when holding opponents to 115.9 yards or fewer on the ground.
The Bears turned the ball over 1.2 times per game last year– 0.1 more turnovers per game than the 1.1 the Lions forced on average.
In games in 2019, Chicago had a 2-5-1 record ATS and a 6-4 record overall when it turned the ball 1.2 or fewer times.
Last season, Detroit compiled a 3-1 record ATS and a 2-3 record overall when it forced at least 1.1 turnovers.

Lions Players to Watch

Matthew Stafford racked up 2,499 passing yards (312.4 yards per game) with a 64.3% completion percentage last year (187-of-291), while throwing 19 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games.
Adrian Peterson rushed for 898 yards on 211 carries (59.9 yards per game) while scoring five touchdowns in 15 games a season ago with Washington.
Kerryon Johnson amassed 403 rushing yards on 113 carries (50.4 yards per game), with three touchdowns on the ground over the course of eight games in 2019. He also caught 10 passes for 127 yards (15.9 per game) and one touchdown.
Last season, Kenny Golladay was targeted 116 times and collected 65 catches for 1,190 yards (74.4 ypg) with 11 touchdowns in 16 games.
Marvin Jones Jr. also contributed with 779 yards on 62 catches with nine touchdowns. He was targeted 91 times and averaged 59.9 receiving yards per game in 13 matchups last year.
Over 15 games in 2019, Danny Amendola caught 62 passes on 97 targets for 678 yards and one touchdown, averaging 45.2 receiving yards per game.
Last season, Trey Flowers recorded seven sacks, eight TFL, and 52 tackles in 15 games.
Tracy Walker racked up 100 tackles, six TFL, and one interception in 13 games over his 2019 campaign.
Last season, Desmond Trufant hauled in four interceptions and added 18 tackles, one TFL, and seven passes defended in nine games.

Bears Players to Watch

Mitchell Trubisky collected 3,152 passing yards (210.1 yards per game) with a 63.2% completion percentage last year (326-of-516), while throwing 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games. He also added 193 rushing yards on 48 carries with two touchdowns, averaging 12.9 yards per game.
David Montgomery took 242 carries for 889 rushing yards a season ago (55.6 yards per game) while scoring six touchdowns in 16 games.
In 2019, Tarik Cohen rushed for 213 yards on 64 carries (13.3 ypg) over the course of 16 games. He also caught 79 passes for 456 (28.5 ypg) and three touchdowns.
Allen Robinson caught 98 passes for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns. He was targeted 153 times and averaged 71.7 yards per game over 16 outings.
Anthony Miller chipped in with 656 yards on 52 catches with two touchdowns. He was targeted 85 times and put up 41.0 receiving yards per game over 16 matchups last year.
Robert Quinn put together an impressive statline of 11.5 sacks, 13 TFL and 34 tackles over 14 games.
Roquan Smith racked up 97 tackles, five TFL, two sacks, and one interception in 12 games over his 2019 campaign.
Last season, Tashaun Gipson hauled in three interceptions and added 51 tackles, two TFL, and eight passes defended in 14 games.