NFLGame PreviewsCHI VS DET Preview Week2 season 14-SEP-2025

Game Preview of Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions. Week 2 of 2025 NFL Season

CHI logo

CHI

0-1-0
@
14SEP25
01:00pm
DET logo

DET

0-1-0
Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Game Preview

Ben Johnson comes back to Ford Field, this time leading the Bears. Dan Campbell’s Lions need a response after a flat opener. The building will be loud, and both teams are trying to avoid 0–2.
Kickoff is Sunday, 1:00 PM ET at Ford Field in Detroit.

 

On paper, Chicago brings a real pass-rush edge. The Bears convert pressures into sacks at a 13.6% rate (94th percentile, small sample). That matters with Detroit’s left tackle Taylor Decker listed Questionable and several backup tackles on IR. If the pocket gets muddy, Jared Goff may have to live underneath.

 

Detroit still has playmakers. But without Johnson calling plays, the Lions’ explosive pass rate sits at just 2.4% (9th percentile). That fits a game script where Amon-Ra St. Brown works short and intermediate and the backs handle checkdowns. Chicago can answer with shots: the Bears’ deep explosive rate is 8.1% (75th percentile, small sample), and Detroit has allowed 13.6% explosive passes so far.

 

The spread menu is wide, but our anchor lands at Lions -3.5 (-159) with a total of 48.5 (Over +106 / Under -149). Juice (the fee embedded in the price) is heavy on several options, so line shopping matters.

Current Season Form

CHI logo

CHI

Away
Record:0-1-0
ATS:0-1-0
O/U:1-0-0
DET logo

DET

Home
Record:0-1-0
ATS:0-1-0
O/U:0-1-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
1-4Winner logo
ATS:3-2-0
O/U:2-3-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2025-09-07@ GBL 13-27L 1.5u48.5
2025-01-18vs WASL 31-45L 8.5o55.5
2025-01-05vs MINW 31-9W +3.0u56.5
2024-12-30@ SFW 40-34W +-4.0o50.5
2024-12-22@ CHIW 34-17W +-7.0o47.5
2024-12-15vs BUFL 42-48L 2.5o55.5
2024-12-05vs GBW 34-31W +3.0o53.0
2024-11-28vs CHIW 23-20W +9.5u47.5
2024-11-24@ INDW 24-6W +-7.0u50.5
2024-11-17vs JAXW 52-6W +14.0o47.5

Key Insights

 

  • Bears pressure → sacks: 13.6% pressure-to-sack (94th pct; small sample).

  • Lions passing explosives lag: 2.4% explosive pass rate (9th pct).

  • Bears have a deep shot gear: 8.1% deep explosive rate (75th pct; small sample).

  • Detroit’s O-line health is a real factor: LT Taylor Decker is Questionable; multiple tackle/guard depth pieces are on IR.

  • Chicago secondary volatility: Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are both Questionable.

  • Red zone note: Bears’ defence has allowed TDs on 66.7% of red-zone trips (small sample).

 

 

Betting Insights

 

  • Spread (anchor): Lean Lions -3.5 (-159). Home edge + Chicago CB injuries + Lions urgency. Price is rich; manage stake size.

  • Total (anchor): Lean Under 48.5 (-149). Lions’ low explosive pass rate (2.4%) and Chicago’s strong third-down stops (72.7%, 91st pct) point to some drive stalls.

  • Moneyline: Lions (-278). If you don’t want to lay the hook at -3.5, ML reduces variance but at a premium.

  • Team Totals: Small lean Bears Over 20.0 (-116) if CHI hits a couple of deep shots vs DET’s 13.6% explosive passes allowed; variance is high.

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 6.5 receptions (-108): volume path if DET sticks short vs CHI rush.

  • David Montgomery Over 0.5 rushing TD (+162): plus price against a defence allowing a 66.7% red-zone TD rate (small sample).

 

 

Final Summary

This is a high-emotion spot: Johnson’s return, Campbell’s “must-win” tone, and a noisy building. The matchup tilts toward Chicago’s pass rush against a banged-up Detroit line, which could push the Lions into a shorter, possession game.

Detroit still has the higher floor at home. St. Brown’s route volume and a two-back punch can steady the offence, even if the explosives aren’t there yet. Chicago’s shot plays are the swing factor; if they land two or three, the Bears cover plenty of numbers.

Our card keeps it simple: Lions to win, a cautious lean to -3.5 as the anchor spread, and an Under lean at the 48.5 anchor total because of Detroit’s explosive-play dip and Chicago’s third-down defence. For props, we prefer Amon-Ra receptions and Montgomery TD at a plus number, while fading Goff’s passing yards in case the rush gets home.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: DET Offense vs CHI Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points13#2427#7CHI advantage
Total Points Per Game13#2427#26DET advantage
Total Touchdowns1#243#27DET advantage
Passing Touchdowns1#212#29DET advantage
Rushing Touchdowns0#251#20CHI advantage
Other Touchdowns0#310#23CHI advantage
Total Kicking Points7#187#20DET advantage
Total Two Point Conversions0#111#2CHI advantage
Kick Extra Points1#221#23DET advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards200#15134#28DET advantage
Net Passing Yards Per Game200#15134#28DET advantage
Passer Rating88.6#1898.5#12CHI advantage
Passing Attempts39#820#2CHI advantage
Completions31#213#31DET advantage
Completion Percentage79.5#265#15DET advantage
Passing 1st downs13#105#2CHI advantage
Passing 1st Down %81.2#235.7#2🏈
Longest Pass32#1728#22DET advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost0#80#20DET advantage
Receiving Targets38#620#30DET advantage
Receptions31#213#2🏈
Receiving Yards After Catch121#768#8DET advantage
YAC Average3.9#195.2#25DET advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards46#31120#24CHI advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game46#31120#9CHI advantage
Rushing Attempts22#2626#19CHI advantage
Yards Per Rush Attempt2.1#304.6#12CHI advantage
Rushing 1st downs2#296#19CHI advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays0#110#18DET advantage
Long Rushing14#2119#12CHI advantage
Rushing Fumbles0#110#18DET advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost0#100#22DET advantage