Lions Battle Bears Monday Night

The Detroit Lions made the playoffs last year for the first time in over a decade, and hopes were high that this season they could take the next step and advance toward a championship game appearance.

But a slow start has Detroit playing near must-wins games already.

The Chicago Bears, on the other hand, missed the playoffs last year, but hopes were high they would return to the post-season this season. And with a nice start Chicago is in good position to realize that goal.

So two teams doing flip-flops from last season meet as the Bears and Lions gather for an NFC North divisional bout Monday night at Soldier Field (8:30 pm ET, ESPN).

ADVERTISEMENT: Bet on Monday Night Football where many handicappers are betting under the total - visit Bovada for the latest lines.

Chicago began this season with a win over the Colts and a loss at the Packers. But since then the Bears have won three in a row, beating the Rams, Cowboys and Jaguars.

After struggling to a 3-3 halftime tie at Jacksonville two weeks ago, Chicago exploded for 38 second-half points, 14 on interception returns for scores, on its way to a 41-3 romp.

The Bears had last week off.

Detroit, meanwhile, opened this season with a rally to beat the Rams, then lost three straight, to the Niners, Titans and Vikings, as Lions special teams got gouged.

But last week Detroit showed some backbone, rallying to score twice in the last four minutes to tie the Eagles in Philly, then winning on a Jason Hanson field goal in OT 26-23.

So big-picture the Bears, at 4-1, lead the NFC North, while the Lions, at 2-3, sit in last place.

Chicago is also a profitable 4-1 ATS this season, while Detroit is 1-4 ATS.

Coach Smith must know what buttons to push in preparation for Monday night games, because the Bears are 8-2 straight-up and 7-3 ATS on MNF during his tenure.

This is the 165th meeting all-time between these two teams. Chicago has won seven of the last eight in this series, but the Lions claimed a season split last year by beating Chicago 24-13 on a Monday night at Ford Field.

Detroit ran for 180 yards in that victory over the Bears last October, but a month later the Bears held the Lions to 80 yards on the ground in a 37-13 Chicago win at Soldier Field.

So far in Week 7 NFL betting underdogs have only won two games outright, but have covered five point spreads and pushed another.