The Detroit Lions continue their quest for the 2024 NFL playoffs with a Thanksgiving showdown against the Chicago Bears in Week 13. This NFC North matchup brings together teams on opposite ends of the standings and serves as the first of two meetings between the rivals this season.

Detroit, hosting this contest, boasts a stellar 10-1 record and looks to keep the surging Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers at bay. With their sights set on Super Bowl LIX, the Lions are enjoying one of their best seasons in decades. Meanwhile, the Bears, at 4-7, are mired in a five-game losing streak and find themselves at the bottom of the division, their playoff dreams all but extinguished.

The rematch, scheduled for just before Christmas, adds a festive twist to this long-standing rivalry. But what does history and current form suggest about this encounter? Here’s a closer look at the head-to-head history and how these teams measure up today.

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Lions vs. Bears: Head-to-Head Record

Games Played: 188

Lions Wins: 78

Bears Wins: 105

Ties: 5

This rivalry, one of the oldest in NFL history, dates back to 1930, when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans. Four years later, the team relocated to Detroit and began its modern chapter. Over the past century, these teams have met regularly, usually twice per season, in contests that have often carried significant stakes for both sides.

Historically, the Bears have been the dominant force. Chicago boasts eight pre-merger championships and a Super Bowl victory from 1986 when they triumphed at Super Bowl XX after a remarkable 15-1 season. That year, they also notched two commanding wins over Detroit.

The Lions, in contrast, have struggled historically when it matters most. They are one of the few NFL franchises yet to reach a Super Bowl, despite making 19 playoff appearances. However, Detroit managed a signature win last season, rallying for a thrilling 31-26 victory over Chicago en route to claiming the NFC North crown.

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Lions vs. Bears: Current Form

This season tells a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Lions have been red-hot, winning nine straight games after a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At 10-1, they lead the NFC North and are legitimate contenders for the conference title. Their winning streak includes dominant victories, such as a 47-9 thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys, a 52-14 dismantling of the Tennessee Titans, and an emphatic 52-6 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Detroit’s impressive performances have all but guaranteed them a playoff berth. Even with potential slip-ups, it would take a monumental collapse to derail their postseason hopes.

On the other hand, the Bears started the season on a relatively promising note, going 4-2 through their first six games. However, since then, they’ve faced a brutal stretch, losing five consecutive matchups. What makes their decline even more painful is the narrow margin of defeat in some games.

The spiral began with a one-point loss to the Green Bay Packers and continued with an overtime heartbreaker against the Minnesota Vikings. Before their Week 7 bye, they suffered close defeats to teams like the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. A brief bright spot came with a three-game win streak against the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Jaguars, but that momentum faded quickly.

Following their bye week, the Bears’ struggles intensified. A loss to the Washington Commanders on the road signaled the start of their current slump. Despite their efforts, Chicago’s season now seems to be a lost cause, with the team stuck at the bottom of the division.

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What to Expect

This matchup between top and bottom in the NFC North appears, on paper, to favor Detroit heavily. The Lions’ offense has been explosive, and their defense has proven capable of shutting down opponents. Meanwhile, Chicago’s inconsistency and inability to close out tight games have been their undoing this season.

Still, the Bears have a rich history and rivalry-fueled pride, and divisional matchups often defy expectations. With a return game just weeks away, both teams will want to set the tone for their second clash in late December.

This Thanksgiving game promises to deliver plenty of drama, whether it’s a showcase of Detroit’s dominance or a chance for Chicago to play spoiler. Either way, fans of both teams will be watching closely as this storied rivalry writes another chapter.