The 2019 season has not been kind to the Chicago Bears. Coming into the year, they were one of the heavy favorites to be a Super Bowl contender. But through the first 12 weeks of the season, they are just 5-6.

Chicago's offense has been the main issue, as quarterback Mitchell Trusbisky has struggled and even the running game hasn't gotten anything going.

What's even worse, is they started the season 3-1. A whole bunch of issues have caused them to go 2-5 since then though.

With the talent on their defense, it's hard to completely count them out just yet. A turnaround has to start right now though. So how can they pull out a victory?

Here are four reasons the Bears can beat the Lions in Week 13.

1. Defense

Kyle Fuller, Bears
ClutchPoints

The Chicago defense is once again near the best in the NFL. They don't just have big names (although they do have them), they actually play like it too.

Chicago is fourth in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (315.6) and points allowed per game (17.1).

They are surprisingly a lot closer to the bottom of the list, than the top of it when it comes to sacks (26). However, they have the type of talent that can change that really quickly. And they're middle-of-the-pack in takeaways.

Bottom line, this is not a defense you want to meet. Especially with all the injuries the Lions are dealing with right now. Chicago could definitely overwhelm Detroit's offense in Week 13, leading to a win on Thanksgiving Day.

2. QB Situation

Matthew Stafford

Speaking of the QB issues for the Lions, they are in some serious trouble.

Matt Stafford is once again out. That was expected, but it doesn't mean it doesn't sting. Stafford is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL and helps keep Detroit afloat.

His backup is Jeff Driskel. Driskel looked decent enough the first two weeks he played. He wasn't great, but solid and really athletic, leading to some big plays. However, now he's questionable for Week 13 as well.

If Driskel doesn't play, it's up to David Blough. Blough is an undrafted rookie with no game time experience yet.

So sure, he's an unknown, and sometimes that can be good. Maybe he'll go out there and put up big numbers randomly.

More likely though, he'll be eaten alive by the frightening Chicago defense.

3. Khalil Mack Heating Up?

Khalil Mack, Bears
ClutchPoints

Khalil Mack is the biggest star of the Chicago defense. The Bears' superstar has not had the massive year everyone expected of him though.

Last season, in his first with the Bears, Mack was a legitimate MVP candidate. He had 12.5 sacks in 14 games. He also forced six fumbles and had an interception, as well as a handful of pass deflections and tackles for loss.

Mack was well on his way to another monster year in 2019. Through the first four weeks, he had 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. In his next five games he picked up just one sack though.

Then came last week, and Mack looked ready to kill once again. The pass rusher picked up his first sack in three games, and his first forced fumble since Week 4.

Could that have been the turning point for Mack? Don't get me wrong. He's still having a great year and his impact is not always shown in the box score. However, when Mack's getting sacks in bundles, that's when this defense is truly unstoppable.

If he's back to that, the Lions don't really stand a chance.

4. Tarik Cohen Hitting His Stride

Tarik Cohen, Bears

Tarik Cohen had a star-making year in 2018. It was one of the main reasons the Bears were okay with trading away Jordan Howard.

That looked like a major mistake, though. Cohen couldn't get anything going on the ground, and even the running backs receiving numbers (his true strength) weren't anything to get excited about.

However, over the last three weeks, Cohen has averaged over 4.0 yards per carry in each game. He average more than 4.0 yards per carry just once all year before that.

Cohen's found a groove in the passing game as well. Entering Week 10, Cohen had just three games all year with more than three receptions. He's had at least four in all three games since then.

Even more importantly, after scoring just once all season, Cohen's had two receiving touchdowns in the last three weeks.

Clearly, he's starting to be utilized more in the offense again, and it's working wonders for his production. That trend can easily continue in Week 13 on Thanksgiving Day against the Lions.