▶ Nolan Bianchi: Should auld run defense be forgot, and never brought to mind? The Lions are hoping to ring in the New Year with a bounce-back performance on both sides of the ball, but it’s the Lions rushing defense that’s truly looking for a clean slate after allowing the Carolina Panthers to fully rewrite their record books last week. They’ll get a fine stress test in the dazzling ability of Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who they proved unable to contain in the first meeting between these two teams. But with the Bears playing for nothing but a top-2 pick and the Lions fighting for their playoff lives, what the heck? One last time in Ford Field, for the sake of auld lang syne … Pick: Lions, 28-20
▶ John Niyo: The Bears aren’t hibernating yet, but they’re looking pretty sluggish. Chicago’s eight-game losing streak already is a franchise record. And there’s no sign the NFC North’s worst team — a team that still has a shot at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft — is ready to snap out of it. Justin Fields is banged up, the Bears’ defense just gave up 250-plus yards to Buffalo on the ground, and the Lions are desperate for a win in their home finale to keep their playoff hopes alive. That’s enough for me to pick a favorite to cover. Pick: Lions, 30-20
▶ Justin Rogers: The Lions have branded themselves as a team that is better than others at handling adversity. That’s tough to argue after they dug themselves out of a 1-6 hole and into playoff contention. Presently, the team is facing its first bit of real adversity in a couple of months after getting manhandled by the Panthers last week. But unlike earlier in the season, there’s a much smaller window to prove they can bounce back from the disappointment of getting outplayed. The Bears might be struggling, mightily in fact, but they’re dangerous. Their ground game and ability to force turnovers make them capable of pulling off an upset any given week. The Lions already beat this team once, in a slugfest, but having the rematch at home, where the Ford Field faithful have had an impact, will be helpful. A rebound feels likely, setting up an all-important finale in Green Bay next week. Pick: Lions, 26-19
▶ Bob Wojnowski: The Lions have everything to play for and the Bears have nothing to play for, which of course means it’ll be a tight game. The 3-12 Bears have lost eight straight but remain competitive. The 7-8 Lions desperately need to bounce back to stay in the playoff picture. The Bears still run the ball well, led by quarterback Justin Fields, who has rushed for 1,011 yards but is an erratic passer. The Lions’ run defense collapsed last week against Carolina, which doesn’t bode well for facing Fields, who ran for 147 yards in their last meeting. The Lions must take what the Bears are offering, and that means yards on the ground against one of the NFL’s worst rushing defenses. The Lions will grind it out at home with Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift and set up a final-week playoff showdown, although it won’t be easy and it won’t be pretty. Pick: Lions, 27-23