While the Detroit Lions’ season ended on Christmas last week, there was one silver lining: my bold prediction was correct. That makes it two times my bold prediction has come true this season, not the record
I wanted to have.
In the 2025 season finale, the Lions travel and take on the Chicago Bears in a rematch of their Week 2 matchup. Back then, both teams were coming off losses and looking to rebound with a win. Bears head coach Ben Johnson returned to Detroit after being the offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. The Lions were still bouncing back after losses, and blew out the Bears 52-21.
Since then, things have changed.
Detroit went on a four-game winning streak, but once that stopped, the team was never consistent. They bounced between winning and losing, and now are on a three-game losing streak. Chicago rebounded from the loss quickly, improving to 4-2. Then, after suffering a loss, they went on a five-game winning streak. Now, they’re the NFC North champs, their first title since 2018, aiming to bring a Super Bowl home next. There’s one thing that I think will stop the Bears from doing that: their poor defense.
Bold prediction of the week: Detroit rushes for over 100 yards
Yes, Detroit rushing for over 100 yards is bold at this point in the season. The last time Detroit ran for over 100 yards was against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, when they ran for 109 yards. Since then, the running game has taken a big hit due to injuries on the offensive line and the overall offense not playing up to its potential. It’s also not a coincidence that during the current three-game losing streak, they haven’t rushed for 100 yards.
- Week 15 – 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, 70 rushing yards
- Week 16 – 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 15 rushing yards
- Week 17 – 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, 68 rushing yards
In fact, upon closer examination, the Lions have yet to win a game this season if they’re held to under 100 yards. When they rush for over 100, they’re 8-1, with the lone loss coming on Thanksgiving to the Packers when the Lions rushed for 119 yards. This week, Detroit has a good chance to rush for over 100 yards as they play a struggling Bears defense.
While the Bears have held four opponents to under 100 rushing yards this season (winning all four games), they are near the bottom in the NFL when it comes to run defense. They’ve allowed the fifth-most rushing yards (2,165) and 5.0 yards per carry (fourth-highest). In their last matchup, Detroit ran for 177 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Another issue with the Bears’ run defense is allowing numerous explosive plays, tied for the sixth-most 20+ rushing yard plays allowed (13) and fifth-most 40+ rushing yard plays (four). In the last game, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs got one 20+ and 40+ yard run.
The biggest hurdle for Detroit in this game is whether their starters will play, both on the offensive line and at running back. I’m going off the assumption that most of the starters will play, besides a few players who are banged up. Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t the type to roll over and call it quits; he’ll do all he can to win this football game.
With the Bears’ defense being its biggest weakness, and the Lions fighting to finish the season with a winning record, I think the run game can end the season strong. The running game had a strong start to the year but fell flat in the end. If Detroit can end the year on a positive note, it can build that momentum towards 2026, where they aim to improve and get back to the postseason, fighting for a Super Bowl.
