Who will win the Thanksgiving Day 2024 game and why

Four Free Press sportswriters break down and pick the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game Thursday afternoon at Ford Field as part of the NFL’s annual Thanksgiving Day opener. The Lions have lost seven straight on Turkey Day, including three times to the Bears.

Jeff Seidel

Unfortunately, the Bears will sneak into the end zone and break the Lions’ touchdown-less streak, if only because it just can’t last forever, right? I mean, this is the NFL. But the Lions have too much offense, too many players on special teams and too much swing on defense for the Bears to win this game. Add in home-field advantage, and the Lions end their losing streak on Thanksgiving Day. The choice: Lions 35, Bears 14.

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Dave Birkett

The Lions have been a huge success, winning nine straight games by an average of 18.7 points, and there’s little reason to believe that will change on Thursday. It’s only the third time they’ve been home since September. They haven’t allowed a touchdown in 10 quarters. And David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are fresh and ready for big days. The Bears’ only hope of winning is to run the ball, keep the Lions’ offense off the field and force Jared Goff into sacks and turnovers. That seems like a tall order at Ford Field, and the Lions have the playmakers to make life difficult for Caleb Williams on a short week. The Lions haven’t won on Thanksgiving since 2016, but this streak will end in a big way. The choice: Lions 34, Bears 17.

THE GAME:Lions vs. Bears scouting report by Dave Birkett

Carlos Monarrez

The Lions haven’t won on Thanksgiving since 2016. The Bears haven’t won a game since October 13th. Advantage: Lions. At least the Bears have played close games against the Vikings and Packers in the last two weeks. But their offense is a mess, Williams has made only moderate progress and Matt Eberflus is likely through his last six games before leaving Halas Hall for the Bears’ worn-out coaching hub. The choice: Lions 36, Bears 13.

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