Detroit — The Detroit Lions have been dominant all season, leading the league in point differential after regularly dominating their opponents.
Against Chicago, the Lions performed well enough to extend their winning streak to 10 games.
barely.
Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes to Sam LaPorta, Jake Bates kicked three field goals in the first half and Detroit held off the Bears 23-20 on Thursday.
“That was a crazy ending, wasn’t it?” Goff asked.
of course.
The Bears had the ball in Lions territory late in the game and had a chance to score a game-tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown, but they blew the opportunity.
Caleb Williams was sacked at the Detroit 41 with about 30 seconds left and then threw an incomplete pass as time expired, allowing Chicago to run out the clock despite receiving one more timeout.
“I’m focused on getting everyone back and in line,” Williams said. “There’s no microphone, so I can’t communicate with the coaches there.” “We could have called a timeout, but if we had made that play, no one would have worried.”
The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) own the best record in team history after 12 games, and their 10-game winning streak remains a franchise record set by the 1934 team.
The Bears (4-8) have lost six straight, including four by a total of 10 points.
Chicago coach Matt Eberflus fell to 5-17 in games decided by seven points or fewer and has won 22.7% of those games, ranking him 221st and last among coaches with at least 20 games closed.
“We are right there,” he said.
Detroit led 16-0 at halftime and 23-7 after three quarters, and Williams led the team’s comeback from a two-week slump. Williams helped the Bears rally from an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of the game against Minnesota before losing in overtime.
Detroit opened the game with four straight scoring drives in the second quarter, capped by Goff’s 3-yard touchdown pass and Bates’ field goal.
Meanwhile, Chicago failed to record a first down on its first four drives and gained just 32 total yards.
“We started the game pretty hot on offense and defense,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Goff’s second touchdown pass to LaPorta, a 1-yard toss, gave Detroit a 23-7 lead late in the third quarter. The score was set up by a 15-yard reverse by Jameson Williams, which included him hurdled Kevin Byard to gain a few extra yards.
Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, was 20 of 39 for 256 yards, including two touchdown passes to Keenan Allen and one to DJ Moore.
Williams appeared to commit his first rookie mistake in the third quarter, pulling up instead of going out of bounds and taking a low hit to linebacker Jack Campbell.
“The knee is fine, but that play was a little funky,” Williams said. “I didn’t appreciate him diving right next to my knees, but it was still nice.”
The former USC star waved it off and threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Allen on the next snap. William connected with Allen for another score, throwing him 9 yards with 5:36 remaining.
Detroit had a chance to add to its cushion, but Bates missed a 45-yard kick to start his NFL career. A 19/19 drive that resulted in a field goal was stymied by a 15-yard penalty on Jameson Williams for throwing the football to the Bears. Player on the sideline.
Jameson Williams apologized to the team after the game.
“I’m proud of the way he handled it,” Goff said.
The Lions have lost seven straight on Thanksgiving Day.
“We’re going to enjoy this,” Campbell said.
Bears: RB Roschon Johnson left the game with a concussion. … Bears G Ryan Bates (concussion) and DB Elijah Hicks (ankle) were inactive.
Lions: LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) left the game and Campbell said he is concerned the injury could be serious. … Potentially more blows to a position that has been hit hard by injuries, including Aidan Hutchinson’s broken leg, if DE Josh Paschal (knee), DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and DL Mekhi Wingo (knee) are injured during the game. You can wear it.
Bears: Play at San Francisco on Dec. 8.
Lions: Host Green Bay next Thursday night.
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