Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions Picks, Player Props to Bet & Updated Odds (Sep 14)

• Former Detroit OC Ben Johnson leads his Chicago Bears against his former team in a pivotal NFC North clash
• The Lions are heavily favored and the line keeps moving in their direction
• Below, see my favorite Bears vs Lions picks and player props to bet, plus the latest CHI vs DET odds

It’s the Ben Johnson Bowl in the Motor City this Sunday as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears (0-1, 0-0 away, 0-1 ATS, 1-0 O/U) leads his team against his former club, the Detroit Lions (0-1, 0-0 home, 0-1 ATS, 0-1 O/U), at 1:00 pm ET at Ford Field. FOX will have the broadcast.

Both teams are looking to rebound from a disappointing Week 1 losses. Detroit is an unbelievable 10-0 ATS in its last ten games after a loss, and oddsmakers positioned the Lions as sizable favorites. After opening as 5.5-point home chalk, the Bears vs Lions odds have moved a full point in Detroit’s direction.

Below, I will set out my Bears vs Lions picks, the main player props, and the updated odds.

Jump to: CHI vs DET Picks | CHI vs DET Props | CHI vs DET Odds

Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions Picks & Predictions

• Against the Spread: Chicago Bears +6.5 (-105) at ESPN Bet
• Over/Under: Under 47.5 (-110) at bet365
• Player Prop: Caleb Williams over 24.5 rushing yards (-117) at DraftKings

The path to victory for the Lions is clear: re-establish the physical, ground-and-pound offense that underpinned their success in 2024. After being held to just 46 rushing yards, expect a heavy dose of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to test a Chicago run defense that was merely average in its opener. If the Lions can control the line of scrimmage, it will open up play-action for Jared Goff, allowing him to attack a depleted Bears secondary. (Cornerback Terell Smith was injured in preseason and nickelback Kyler Gordon has been ruled out for Week 2 with a hamstring injury.)

However, the Bears are not without a path to an upset, or at least a cover. The Ben Johnson factor cannot be overstated; his intimate knowledge of the Lions’ offensive schemes, personnel, and even audibles could lead to some well-timed defensive calls. Offensively, Caleb Williams’ dual-threat ability is the ultimate wild card. His legs can neutralize a fierce pass rush and turn broken plays into positive gains. If the Bears’ offensive line can give him even a modicum of protection, he has the weapons in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze to challenge a Lions secondary that has been their Achilles’ heel.

Williams was moderately successful in two starts against Detroit last season, throwing for a whopping 590 yards and five TDs with no interceptions, but only completing 58.3% of his passes. The Lions won both games straight-up (23-20 in DET, 34-17 in CHI) but the Bears covered in Motown as 9.5-point road underdogs.

The Lions are also dealing with a significant injury of their own: starting left tackle Taylor Decker didn’t practice at all this week, which will give Chicago’s above-average pass rush an easier path to Goff.

Betting trends paint a conflicting but compelling picture. The Lions are an incredible 10-0 ATS in their last 10 games following a loss, a testament to their resilience. They are also 13-2 straight up in their last 15 games as a favorite. Conversely, the Bears have been dreadful on the road, going 2-7-1 ATS as road underdogs in their last 10. Yet the Lions have struggled to cover at home recently, posting a 1-4 ATS record in their last five games as home favorites. Given the Lions’ offensive question marks without Johnson, and the Bears’ potential to create explosive plays with Williams, the 6.5-point spread is slightly too large. I expect the Lions to win, but the Bears to keep it within a touchdown.

I’m also backing Caleb Williams to go over his modest rushing total of 25.5 yards. He hit at least 34 in both games against Detroit last season, and wasn’t shy about using his legs in Chicago’s 27-24 Week 1 loss to Minnesota (58 yards, one TD). Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson-led pass rush is apt to collapse more than a few pockets, forcing the fleet-footed Williams into scrambles.

Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions Player Props

NFL player props as of September 14.

Goff’s passing yards prop of 247.5 is well below his 2024 average of 272.3 YPG, reflecting his lackluster Week 1 and the departure of offensive mastermind Johnson from the Detroit sideline. However, facing a potentially injured Bears secondary at home, he’s in a prime bounce-back spot.

The rushing prop for Jahmyr Gibbs (69.5) is ambitious given the Week 1 struggles for Detroit’s run game, but it reflects his explosive potential. David Montgomery’s line (45.5) feels more attainable, especially if he gets red-zone carries.

For the Bears, D’Andre Swift’s rushing total of 51.5 is interesting against his former team. DJ Moore’s receiving line of 50.5 yards is low for a WR1, making the over an attractive play against a Lions secondary that was vulnerable last season.

Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions Odds

The odds still show a decent range as of early Sunday morning, especially the moneyline. The Bears are as long as +260 at ESPN Bet (and as short as +220 elsewhere) while the Lions are -270 at FanDuel (and as short as -305 elsewhere). The best ATS option for Chicago bettors is +6.5 (-105) at ESPN Bet; the best ATS option for Detroit backers is -6.5 (-104) at FanDuel. The total shows a one-point range: over bettors should take O 46.5 (-110) at Caesars, while under bettors should grab U 47.5 (-110) at bet365.

Odds as of 12:15 am, September 14. Download the top Super Bowl betting apps.

The vig-free moneyline gives the Lions a 71.3% implied win probability, leaving 28.7% for the Bears.

The Lions are riding an 10-0 ATS record following a loss. The Bears, meanwhile, have struggled mightily on the road, going just 1-9 straight up and 2-7-1 ATS as road underdogs in their last ten games.

CHI vs DET Odds Movement

This betting line has seen significant movement since opening, especially the moneyline. Detroit was just -230 in the opening Week 2 NFL odds. Now their best moneyline price is -270, a 40 cent shift. The Lions also opened as 5.5-point favorites and have been bet up to 6.5.

Simultaneously, the game total has dropped from an opening of 47.5 points down to 46.5 at most books, though others are holding firm at 47.5. The drop in the total is telling. It suggests that sharper bettors may be skeptical of both offenses after underwhelming Week 1 performances. The Lions’ attack, now without former OC Ben Johnson, looked conservative and managed only 13 points against Green Bay, while the Bears’ offense, despite flashes from Williams, remains a work in progress.

The Week 2 NFL public betting percentages still show a ludicrously one-sided split for this game. Detroit is getting 96% of moneyline handle and 92% of ATS handle. The public is also hammering the under at this point, putting 96% of O/U money on the under as of Sunday morning.