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Debating Detroit Lions’ future under the Matt Patricia-Bob Quinn regime, Matthew Stafford and Darius Slay, Nov. 26, 2019.
Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press

Free Press sports writers and columnists predict Thursday’s annual Thanksgiving Day game, as the Detroit Lions host the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. The Bears won this game last season, 23-16.

Latest Sports News: Jeff Seidel

If the Lions can’t beat Arizona with Matthew Stafford. … If they can’t figure out a way to beat a bad Washington team without him. … If the Lions are stuck in a miserable losing streak, heading straight down the drain, they aren’t going to beat Chicago. The pick: Bears 19, Lions 12

[ Draft watch: Here’s how the Lions can win the Race for Chase ]

[ Seidel: Lions fans have the power to fix this mess: Boycott Thanksgiving ]

Latest Sports News: Dave Birkett

The Lions have lost four straight and are in desperate need of a win with questions swirling about Matt Patricia’s job security. Could another embarrassing game on national TV lead to Martha Ford cleaning house over Thanksgiving weekend? No one wants to tempt fate, which is why it’s imperative the Lions play a good game in all three phases Thursday. That won’t be easy given the quarterback situation, with Stafford expected to miss his fourth straight game and Driskel battling a hamstring injury. The one saving grace? The Bears keep trotting Mitchell Trubisky out at quarterback hoping something will change. I can’t imagine many points will be scored or that many people will be on their edge of their seat watching. The pick: Bears 9, Lions 6

Latest Sports News: Shawn Windsor

Hey, it’s Thanksgiving, the Bears are bad, too, the Lions are home, and the general manager and coach know how a loss will be viewed. It won’t matter. The pick: Bears 19, Lions 16

Latest Sports News: Carlos Monarrez

The Bears haven’t scored more than 20 points in their past five games. The Lions win a battle of attrition and snap a four-game losing streak that helps grateful Detroiters avoid indigestion and talk of firings — for at least a few days. The pick: Lions 21, Bears 20.