In a meeting between free-falling NFC North clubs, the 4-7 Detroit Lions travel into the Windy City to face the 5-6 Chicago Bears.  It’ll be interim head coach Darrell Bevell manning Detroit’s sideline, after both head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn were let go last week.

Detroit’s major shakeup comes after a 16-point loss to the 4-7 Houston Texans, but things could be worse. For instance, the Bears have dropped five straight games, a 16-point loss of their own in Green Bay being their most recent L.

NFL Week 13 Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Chicago did kick off their season with a win in Detroit, and went on to win five of their first six. But a lot has changed on both sides, highlighted by quarterback changes in Chicago and the aforementioned firings in Detroit.

That Week 1 meeting featured Mitchell Trubisky under centre — who returned last week — and he threw for 242 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Both teams rushed for over 130 yards, but both rank in the bottom six rushing teams in the NFL.

With no glaring advantages, oddsmakers have the Bears at -3 with the total at 44.5. Chicago’s 6-3-1 against the spread (ATS) last 10 against Detroit, with the under hitting in six of their last eight battles at Soldier Field.

Detroit Lions

Change was needed in Detroit, and it’s no surprise Patricia was the fall guy after going 13-29-1 in three seasons. Now with Bevell leading the way, which Detroit team will he field: the one that scored 29 in a narrow loss versus New Orleans? Or the Lions who got shut out against Carolina?

The answer’s likely somewhere in between, but help isn’t necessarily on the way. Cornerback Desmond Trufant and defensive tackle Danny Shelton are now on the team’s injured reserve, while third-overall pick Jeff Okudah missed practice Wednesday. It’s not encouraging news for a team already without Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, and D’Andre Swift — although the latter two were practice participants after sitting out in Week 12.

Chicago Bears

The Bears were never really in Sunday night’s loss against Green Bay, scoring 15 points in the final quarter after entering the frame down 41-10. Trubisky’s first start since Week 3 went OK, tossing three touchdown passes but with two interceptions. That effort has earned him another chance in Week 13.

Chicago’s defence deserved a lot of blame, too. The Bears ranked in the top 5 in many telling categories, but then allowed 34 points in 45 minutes. Chicago didn’t force a turnover or record a sack. They have now added Khalil Mack, Danny Trevathan, and Buster Skrine to an injury report that features Akiem Hicks too.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Lions vs. Bears?