The Detroit Lions (10-1), currently holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC, will host the Chicago Bears (4-7) on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The game will be televised on CBS, and fans can watch the game for free through a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV.
Thanksgiving Day Football: A Tradition in Detroit
This Thanksgiving matchup is significant for Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who has yet to win a Thanksgiving game since taking over the team. Detroit has lost seven straight Thanksgiving games, including three under Campbell’s tenure.
He expressed the impact of these losses on his personal life, saying,
"Ask my wife, she’ll tell you. That’s why she’s praying for a win big time because she knows that I’m a bear when we don’t win, so we all want it."_
Campbell is eager to end the losing streak, adding,
"It is long overdue, but we have to win to win."
Game Details: Lions vs. Bears
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. CT)
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
TV Channel: CBS
Free Live Stream: Available on DirecTV Stream and fuboTV (free trial available)
Lions Looking to Extend Their Dominance
The Lions, with a 10-1 record, are currently one of the hottest teams in the league. They are coming off a dominant 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, marking their ninth straight win. The team has been performing well on both sides of the ball, with standout performances from Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for two touchdowns in their recent win. Detroit's defense has also been impressive, having not allowed a touchdown in over nine quarters.
Bears Looking to End Losing Streak
On the other side, the Chicago Bears are hoping to break a five-game losing streak. Despite this slump, Chicago has been competitive in their recent games. The Bears have had close losses, including a dramatic overtime defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in which they scored 10 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation but lost 30-27. Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has shown promise, passing for 340 yards and two touchdowns in the Minnesota game.
Lions vs. Bears: Key Storylines
The Lions are aiming to secure their 11th win in 12 games, a feat they have never accomplished in franchise history. With a 9-game winning streak, Detroit is positioned as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season.
For Chicago, a victory on Thanksgiving would be a huge morale booster, but they face an uphill battle against the high-flying Lions, who are heavy favorites with a double-digit spread according to BetMGM.
Chicago Bears Struggling Defensively
Chicago's defense has been in decline this season after an improvement in the second half of 2023. The Bears' defense, once ranked No. 5 in the league, is now sitting at No. 17, and has suffered from key breakdowns in their recent losses. In a loss to the Washington Commanders, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson made a crucial mistake, which led to a Hail Mary touchdown. Another critical play was a 60-yard completion against the Green Bay Packers, which set up a game-winning touchdown.
How to Watch the Game
The game is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, and can be streamed for free through DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. Both services offer free trials to new subscribers. Alternatively, the game will be available to watch via CBS for those with a traditional TV subscription.
Game Preview
This Thanksgiving Day matchup will not only showcase a fierce rivalry but also feature intriguing individual storylines, including a potential breakout performance by Caleb Williams and the Lions' continued pursuit of dominance in the NFC.
As the Detroit Lions look to snap their Thanksgiving losing streak and the Chicago Bears try to bounce back from a tough season, this game promises to be an exciting contest. Fans can enjoy the action starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, either on CBS or by streaming the game for free via DirecTV Stream or fuboTV.
