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Bears vs Lions: Reasons for optimism in Week 16 matchup

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Bears vs Lions: Reasons for optimism in Week 16 matchup

The Chicago Bears (4-10) are looking to end their current eight-game losing streak, and they’ll have a tough challenge to do so on Sunday, taking on the Detroit Lions (12-2). The last meeting between these two happened on Thanksgiving Day, with the Lions beating the Bears in what would be the final game for former head coach Matt Eberflus.

With the season nearing an end for Chicago and Detroit gearing up for a playoff run, the game could get out of hand sooner rather than later. After losing to the Buffalo Bills last week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell discussed the excitement he has for his team to bounce back and prove themselves. Having lost 22 players to injured reserve this season, Campbell also noted that the injuries would create more opportunities for other players. Two teams heading in completely different directions, but there’s a sense of pride on both sides in this matchup.

Here’s a look at three main reasons for optimism for the Bears as they welcome the Lions to Soldier Field on Sunday in Week 16.

1. Back home at Soldier Field

This will be the first home game for interim head coach Thomas Brown and what feels like a much-needed return to Chicago. The two games that Brown has coached, the Bears have come out flat on every level of their football team, and the opposing crowd let them hear about it. The concerns with the team are obvious, but maybe playing in front of their home crowd can settle the team down, and they can feed off the energy, if fans decide to show up and be supportive.

2. Lions’ injury woes

Last week, the Lions lost three more players to serious injuries, including running back David Montgomery, a former Bear. Initially it was ruled that Montgomery would miss the rest of the season due to surgery, but after receiving a second opinion, Montgomery will not need surgery, but will more than likely be out the rest of the regular season. With the playoffs approaching, Detroit could take their foot off the gas and decided to monitor the amount of playing time they’re top players receive, depending on the score. There’s a certainly a chance that Detroit looks to take out their frustration on Chicago’s vulnerable defense, but also a chance they choose to keep their focus on the health of their team and the playoffs.

3. A Christmas Miracle?

That’s about what it’s going to take to believe that the Bears will end their embarrassing losing streak. They came close in the first meeting against the Lions, but coaching malpractice and horrible clock management by former coach Matt Eberflus wiped away any shot of pulling off the upset victory. It’s the holiday season so maybe a return home to Chicago, with an injured Lions team coming to town focused on a bigger goal, a Christmas miracle can come true to get the Bears their first victory in over two months. This Week 16 matchup could get ugly very quickly for Chicago, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see just that. But at some point there has to be belief that something, anything, finally goes right for the Bears, and they win their fifth game of the year.

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