The NFC North rivals conclude the 2025 NFL regular season with a Week 18 showdown at Soldier Field, where the Bears aim to secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs with a win, while the Lions, eliminated from postseason contention, look to play spoiler and end a frustrating year on a positive note. Chicago has surged to the division title, driven by a balanced offense and resilient defense, against a Detroit squad hampered by injuries and inconsistencies throughout the campaign. This historic rivalry often delivers intense battles, but the Bears enter as favorites with home-field advantage and higher stakes.
Venue Location
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois. This iconic outdoor stadium, opened in 1924 and renovated in 2003, seats approximately 61,500 fans and features a grass surface, known for its challenging winter conditions and passionate Bears crowd.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET (3:25 p.m. CT / 1:25 p.m. PT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews (field reporter), Tom Rinaldi (field reporter)
Streaming options via FuboTV or the FOX Sports app.
Weather Updates
As an outdoor venue, weather could play a significant role, potentially favoring run-heavy schemes in cold, windy conditions. Forecasts predict daytime highs around 23-34°F with nighttime lows near 25°F, partly cloudy skies, a 22% chance of precipitation, and winds around 10 mph. UV index is low at 0, with no major storms expected, but chilly temperatures may impact passing accuracy and ball handling.
Injury Report
Both teams are managing key ailments in the finale, with the Lions particularly depleted on offense and defense, potentially forcing backups into prominent roles. The Bears, while listing several players, have most trending toward availability for this pivotal game.
Detroit Lions Injuries:
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: Limited (knee/ankle).
OT Penei Sewell: Limited (ankle).
DT Alim McNeill: Limited (abdomen).
G Christian Mahogany: DNP (illness).
SAF Thomas Harper: Questionable (concussion).
Others cleared or no longer listed: RB David Montgomery (illness), WR Tom Kennedy (abdomen), C Graham Glasgow (knee), EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee). Total around 10 players monitored, thinning the offensive line and receiving corps.
Chicago Bears Injuries:
WR Luther Burden III: Limited (quad).
DB Josh Blackwell: Limited (shoulder).
DB Nick McCloud: Limited (illness).
OL Ozzy Trapilo: Limited (knee/quad).
WR Rome Odunze: DNP (status TBD).
Others on IR: OT Braxton Jones (knee), RB Roschon Johnson (thumb). Around 10 players listed, but several (e.g., WR Malik Nabers cleared) trending positively.
Player Matchups
Injuries add intrigue to these key battles, with Chicago’s playoff push likely motivating full effort against Detroit’s depleted units.
Bears QB Caleb Williams vs. Lions Secondary: Williams tests a Lions pass defense vulnerable due to injuries, potentially exploiting mismatches if Stiggers or others are limited.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Bears CBs: St. Brown (limited) faces Chicago’s secondary, but his ankle/knee issues could limit explosiveness against a unit allowing under 200 passing YPG.
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Bears RB D’Andre Swift vs. Lions Run Defense: Swift exploits Detroit’s front, ranked mid-tier but thinned by McNeill’s abdomen issue.
Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson vs. Bears O-Line: Hutchinson pressures Williams, but Trapilo’s knee/quad limits could open edges.
Recent Team Forms
The Lions have gone 2-3 in their last 5 games, including a 10-23 loss to the Vikings in Week 17, averaging 22.4 PPG but struggling defensively (allowing 28+ in losses). They’ve shown resilience but injuries have derailed momentum.
The Bears are 4-1 in their last 5, with a 38-42 loss to the 49ers in Week 17 but wins over divisional foes, averaging 26.6 PPG (10th in NFL) led by Williams’ efficiency.
Series History
The Bears lead the all-time series 105-81-5, dating back to 1930, including the 1932 NFL Playoff Game counted in regular records. Chicago has won 9 of the last 20 meetings, but Detroit took the 2025 Week 12 matchup 52-12. The rivalry features storied Thanksgiving games and close contests.
Betting Trends
Bears: 10-6 ATS overall; 6-2 ATS at home; 6 straight home wins SU.
Lions: 7-9 ATS; 1-6 ATS in last 7 games; 6-1 SU in last 7 vs. Bears but 1-4 ATS on road lately.
Head-to-Head: Bears 9-11 last 20; overs in 6 of last 10;
LIONS NOTES:
• QB JARED GOFF passed for 197 yards & TD in Week 17. Ranks 3rd with 4,233 pass yards & 2nd with 33 TD passes this season. Has TD pass in 22 straight games, longest active streak in NFL. Has 300+ pass yards in 3 of his past 4 games & 100+ rating in 4 of his past 5. Passed for 334 yards & career-high 5 TDs in Week 2 meeting. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS had 104 scrimmage yards & rush TD in Week 2 meeting. Has 60+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his past 7 games on road. Aims for 4th in row vs. Chi. with 100+ scrimmage yards & 3rd in row vs. Chi. with rush TD. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 games vs. Chi. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN had 8 catches for 68 rec. yards in Week 17. Has 106 receptions this season & is 5th player in NFL history with 100+ receptions in 4 consecutive seasons. Has 65+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 games. Had 115 rec. yards & season-high 3 TDs in Week 2 meeting. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Chi. with TD catch. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS has 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 games. Had 108 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 2 meeting. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Chi. with 100+ rec. yards & TD reception. • WR ISAAC TESLAA had 49 rec. yards & TD reception in Week 17. • LB ALEX ANZALONE had sack in Week 17. Has PD in 3 of his past 4 games. Had 6 tackles in Week 2 meeting. Aims for 8th in row vs. Chi. with 6+ tackles. • LB JACK CAMPBELL had 6 tackles in Week 17. Has 12+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 games. Had 7 tackles & FR in Week 2 meeting. Aims for 4th in row vs. Chi. with 7+ tackles. Ranks tied-6th with 3 FFs this season. • DE AIDAN HUTCHINSON had 6 tackles & 2 sacks in Week 17. Aims for 3rd in row with sack. Ranks 4th with 13.5 sacks this season. Had sack in Week 2 meeting. • EDGE AL-QUADIN MUHAMMAD had 2 sacks in Week 17 & had sack in Week 2 meeting • CB AMIK ROBERTSON has 2+ PD in 2 of his past 3 games on road.
BEARS NOTES:
• BEARS clinched NFC North for 1st time since 2018. • QB CALEB WILLIAMS passed for 330 yards & 2 TDs for 100.3 rating in Week 17. Aims for 7th in row with TD pass & 4th in row with 95+ passer rating. Had 207 pass yards & 2 TD passes in Week 2 meeting. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had team-high 54 rush yards & 2 TDs in Week 17. Has 2+ rush TDs in 2 of his past 3 games. Aims for 6th in row with 70+ scrimmage yards. Had rush TD in Week 2 meeting. • RB KYLE MONANGAI ranks 5th among rookies with 769 rush yards & tied-6th with 5 rush TDs this season. • WR LUTHER BURDEN led team with season-high 138 rec. yards, 3rd-most by a rookie in a single game this season & had TD catch in Week 17. • WR DJ MOORE has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 games. • TE COLSTON LOVELAND had 94 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 17. Has 60+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 games. Ranks 2nd with 5 TD receptions & 4th with 622 rec. yards among rookie TEs this season. • LB T.J. EDWARDS co-led team with 9 tackles & had 1st INT-TD this season in Week 17. Aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS co-led team with 9 tackles in Week 17. Has 7+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 games. Had 7 tackles & TFL in Week 2 meeting. • DL MONTEZ SWEAT had 5 tackles in Week 17. Has sack in 5 of his past 6 games at home. • DL AUSTIN BOOKER had sack & 2 PD in Week 17. Aims for 4th in row with 0.5+ sack. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 games. • DB KEVIN BYARD leads NFL with 6 INTs this season. Has 6+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 games at home. Has 7+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 vs. Det. • DB NAHSHON WRIGHT had 7 tackles in Week 17 & aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. Ranks tied-2nd with 5 INTs this season.
Game Odds
Detroit Lions 50.5
Chicago Bears – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
