As Detroit closes the regular season against Chicago, the matchup boils down to two constants: whether Jahmyr Gibbs can control the game on the ground and whether Aidan Hutchinson can disrupt it in the backfield.
As the Detroit Lions prepare to close out the 2025 NFL regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field, expectations are focused on a pair of Lions whose seasons have resonated statistically and emotionally for their team. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is projected as Detroit’s offensive MVP, while edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson shapes up as the defensive standout in what may be a spirited but narrow 24-21 Lions victory.
Gibbs, the Lions’ electrifying second-year back, has emerged as one of the league’s most versatile offensive weapons in 2025. Through 16 games, he has rushed for 1,143 yards, ranking ninth in the NFL, and scored 13 rushing touchdowns, tied for fourth in the league. He also has 74 receptions for 583 yards and four receiving scores, showing his dual-threat capability in Detroit’s scheme.
That production accounts for 1,725 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns — ranking among the NFL’s elite — and underscores Gibbs’ role as the centerpiece of the Lions’ offense. His performance against Chicago historically has been strong: in five career games versus the Bears, Gibbs has averaged 78.4 rushing yards per game with four total touchdowns, highlighting his consistent impact in this rivalry.
“His skill set forces defenses to account for him on every play,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said this week. “When he’s moving the chains, it puts us in better down-and-distance situations and opens up everything else.”
Detroit’s ground game has shown flashes of potency and inconsistency at times this season, but when Gibbs finds room to operate it changes the tempo of games. His ability to run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield has been a stabilizing factor in an offense that also features elite pass-catching talent.
On the defensive side, Hutchinson’s 2025 campaign has marked his return to form after a season-ending injury in 2024. The second-overall pick in the 2022 draft has been among the NFL’s most disruptive defenders, piling up 13.5 sacks — fourth in the league — along with multiple forced fumbles and pressures that consistently unsettle opposing quarterbacks.
Hutchinson’s edge presence is vital against a Bears offense led by quarterback Caleb Williams, who has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and is coming off a 330-yard performance in a high-scoring matchup last week. The Bears, who have locked up the NFC North with an 11-5 record, will not be taking the finale lightly, meaning Detroit’s defense needs its best play from Hutchinson early and often.
“It’s a big game for our defense,” Hutchinson said. “We want to pin our ears back, get after the quarterback, and make them uncomfortable on third down.”
Detroit’s defensive unit has had its ups and downs this season, but Hutchinson’s ability to beat tackles and pressure the passer gives the Lions their best shot at slowing Chicago’s offense and creating pivotal turnovers.
The Week 18 matchup also presents narrative parallels. The Lions routed the Bears 52-21 in their first meeting this season in Detroit, with Gibbs contributing significantly to the ground attack in that blowout. But with playoff implications already decided for Chicago, the Bears will aim to even the score on their home field.
Still, Detroit’s balanced attack — led by Gibbs’ dynamic rushing and receiving prowess and anchored by an opportunistic defense with Hutchinson at its head — points to a competitive clash. Based on current form and statistical matchups, the Lions are predicted to eke out a 24-21 victory, capping the regular season with positive momentum as they head into the offseason.
(See related coverage for injury updates and viewing information for Sunday’s game.)