After a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day that eliminated Detroit from playoff contention, the Lions travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. The Bears look to tie the season series with Detroit, while the Lions hope to break a three-game losing streak and finish the season with a winning record.
Last week: Chicago fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 42-38, in a back-and-forth matchup on Sunday Night Football.
History: The Bears lead the all-time series 105-81-5 against the Lions. The teams last met Week 2 when Detroit defeated Chicago 52-21 at Ford Field.
Storyline to watch: Following Green Bay's Week 17 loss to Baltimore, Chicago clinched the NFC North title and will earn either the No. 2 or No. 3 playoff seed depending on this week's results.
If Chicago defeats Detroit or Washington beats Philadelphia, the Bears will secure the No. 2 seed and they will host the No. 7 Packers.
If Chicago loses to Detroit and Philadelphia beats Washington, the Bears will fall to the No. 3 seed, hosting either the No. 6 Los Angeles Rams or the San Francisco 49ers.
Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17 but this game still carries implications for the Lions' 2026 schedule and NFL draft positioning.
View photos of the starters for the Chicago Bears.
Head Coach: Ben Johnson
Offensive Coordinator: Declan Doyle
Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Allen
Special Teams Coordinator: Richard Hightower
(AP Photo/Nam Huh)
WR DJ Moore
Backed up by Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay
(AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
LT Theo Benedet
Backed up by Ozzy Trapilo
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
LG Joe Thuney
Backed up by Ryan Bates
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
C Drew Dalman
Backed up by Ryan Bates
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
RG Jonah Jackson
Backed up by Ryan Bates
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
RT Darnell Wright
Backed up by Ozzy Trapilo
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
TE Cole Kmet
Backed up by Durham Smythe
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
TE Colston Loveland
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
WR Rome Odunze
Backed up by Luther Burden III and Jahdae Walker
(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
QB Caleb Williams
Backed up by Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum
(AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
RB D'Andre Swift
Backed up by Kyle Monangai and Travis Homer
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
DL Montez Sweat
Backed up by Dominique Robinson
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
DL Grady Jarrett
Backed up by Chris Williams
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
DL Gervon Dexter Sr.
Backed up by Andrew Billings
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
DL Austin Booker
Backed up by Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Daniel Hardy
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
LB T.J. Edwards
Backed up by D'Marco Jackson
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
LB Noah Sewell
Backed up by Ruben Hyppolite II and Amen Ogbongbemiga
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
S Jaquan Brisker
Backed up by Elijah Hicks
(AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)
S Kevin Byard III
Backed up by Jonathan Owens
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
DB Kyler Gordon
Backed up by C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Nick McCloud
(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
CB Tyrique Stevenson
Backed up by Jaylon Jones
(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
CB Jaylon Johnson
Backed up by Nahshon Wright and Josh Blackwell
(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
K/KO Cairo Santos
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
P/H Tory Taylor
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
LS Scott Daly
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
KR Devin Duvernay
Backed up by Josh Blackwell
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
PR Devin Duvernay
Backed up by Luther Burden III
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Here are five Bears' storylines to follow into Sunday's matchup:
1. Bears seeking to secure No. 2 seed, create momentum in finale
Head coach Ben Johnson reiterated Wednesday that the Bears have no plans to rest their starters in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Lions despite having clinched the NFC North title. READ MORE.
2. Bears QB Caleb Williams aims to continue ascending
Playing the best football of his two-year NFL career, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams enters the final week of the regular season determined to keep growing for his legacy and his team. READ MORE.
3. Chicago Bears up-to-date playoff scenarios
Based on Week 18 results, the NFC North champion Bears will be the NFC's No. 2 or 3 seed and open the playoffs by hosting either the Packers, Rams or 49ers in the wild card round. READ MORE.
4. Johnson on Week 18 game: 'We are playing to win'
Bears head coach Ben Johnson addresses the media virtually Monday from Halas Hall. WATCH.
5. Bears rookies Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III taking huge strides
The emergence of the Bears' top two draft picks, tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III, has helped fuel an offense that ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in scoring and total yards. READ MORE.
