Lions vs. Bears predictions: NFL expert picks for Week 18

The 2025 Detroit Lions season isn’t quite what anybody expected. After suffering a monstrous amount of injuries in 2024 and still winning the NFC North and finishing as the top seed in the conference, expectations were high in 2025. Multiple players would return from those injuries, as well as new additions via the draft and free agency. Unfortunately, despite all those positives, injuries crept up again, and the additions weren’t as good as expected.

Now at 8-8, Detroit is eliminated from the postseason heading into its Week 18 showdown against the Chicago Bears. With a winning record to play for, it’ll be interesting to see who plays and sits in the season finale. Either way, the Bears are coming in hot with a chance to be the two seed, and after losing against the Lions in Week 2, they might be looking for revenge.

Here’s a look at our Pride of Detroit staff picks for the Lions in Week 18:

• **John Whiticar **(10-6)****: Bears 36-23
• Brandon Knapp (9-7): Bears 27 -14 (Scouting report, Bold prediction)
• Ryan Mathews (9-7): Bears 28-17
• **Alex Reno **(9-7)****: Bears 30-21
• Ty Schalter (9-7): Lions 27-20
• Zac Snyder (9-7): Lions 26-24
• Morgan Cannon (8-8): Bears 27-21 (Before the Roar podcast)
• Erik Schlitt (8-8): Lions 24-23 (Honolulu Blueprint)
• Meko Scott (8-8): Bears 28-23 (Before the Roar podcast)
• Hamza Baccouche (6-7): Bears 27-21
• **Kellie Rowe **(7-8)****: Lions 23-20
• Al Karsten (7-9): Bears 30-24
• Jeremy Reisman (7-9): Bears 38-28 (On Paper)
• Max Gerber (6-9): Bears 13-10

Now, it’s your turn to have your voice heard. Share what you think the game score will be in the comment section at the bottom of the page and vote in the poll directly below. Can Detroit end the year on a positive note, or will Chicago get revenge for the Week 2 loss?