NFL player prop: Fields mettle

Divisional foes for 90 years, the Bears and Lions have often engaged in physical, low-scoring battles. When Chicago was most recently defending a championship, for instance, it swept the 1986 season series without reaching 17 points in either game. But this latest installment of the rivalry features two explosive offenses and a slate-high over/under of 48, prompting us to back the road team’s triggerman for our top prop:

The bet: Over 251½ passing and rushing yards for Bears quarterback Justin Fields (DraftKings)

After missing four games with a thumb injury, Fields will make his return to action in the pristine conditions of Detroit’s domed Ford Field. He easily cleared this number on passing yards alone in his last two full games, throwing for 335 yards in a loss to the Broncos and 282 in a win over the Commanders.

By connecting on four touchdown passes in each of those contests, Fields served notice that he has become a complete quarterback. He has always flashed great ability as a runner, with two of his three highest rushing totals actually coming against these Lions last season. He gashed them for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting and then brought in the new year with 132 more.

Ranking 20th in pass defense, Detroit has been exploited by the upper-echelon quarterbacks. Last Sunday’s shootout win over the Chargers saw Justin Herbert accumulate 338 passing and rushing yards, and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson totaled 393 in Week 7.

Determined to reclaim his place among the league’s best dual threats, Fields should enjoy similar success.