The Detroit Lions take on the Chicago Bears in a New Year’s Day battle on Sunday.  The Lions are desperately looking to come back from an embarrassing Christmas Eve loss to the Carolina Panthers, while the Bears are looking for the end of an eight-game losing streak.

While the Lions may be coming off a tough loss, Head Coach Dan Campbell assured the media the team would be ready this week.  They are still hanging on to the hopes of a potential playoff game.  Coach Campbell says he’s excited to be back home where the crowd has been amazing all year long.

“It does feel like home field advantage. It’s loud, crowd’s into it, certainly gives us energy. But we also know we’ve got to fuel that fire. So, but it will be good, man, last one at home. And if anything, man, it just motivates you down the road to want to extend that and have more home games when you get into January because you know what it will be. But it’s good to be back, man, last one let’s give them a show.”

The Lions will be again without safety DeShon Elliott, meaning Ifeatu Melifonwu will get another opportunity.  The Lions also elevated safety Brady Breeze from the Practice Squad to the Active Roster for this game.  In his first career start last week, Melifonwu didn’t have a great showing, but Coach Campbell knows he has the potential to turn it around.

“Well, I would anticipate we’d see him react quicker. I think we’re going to see a player that sees it faster and triggers faster, and he knows what we’re looking for just from what we talked about, the intensity, the aggressiveness. So, yeah I anticipate we’ll see a better version of Iffy.”

Coach Campbell and the Lions are not underestimating Justin Fields and the Bears by any means.  They are fully aware of what he is capable of and preparing for him just as they would any other team.

Kick-off today is at 1pm ET.

Staff Picks and Score Predictions:

Stick: Lions 70, Bears 3

Neal Ruhl: Lions 27, Bears 25

Darren McCarty: Lions 33, Bears 20

Jeff Iafrate: Lions 34, Bears 21

Ryan Ermanni: Lions 42, Bears 20

Maddy Miller: Lions 31, Bears 17

Adham Beydoun: Lions 2, Bears 0

Eazy: Lions 1,000,000, Bears 0

Maddy Miller – Detroit Lions Beat Reporter

On Twitter: @madelynvmillerr

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