Where was this Lions team all season?
In a meaningless game for Detroit but a potential seeding battle for Chicago, the eliminated Lions dominated early, built a 16-0 lead, weathered a furious Bears comeback, and sealed a 19-16 walk-off victory on Jake Bates’ 42-yard field goal as time expired at Soldier Field.
Score Summary
Detroit controlled the first half and scored on their opening possessions before Chicago rallied late:
- 1st Quarter: Lions 6, Bears 0 – Jake Bates field goals of 34 and 30 yards.
- 2nd Quarter: Lions 7, Bears 0 – Jared Goff’s 15-yard TD pass to Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions lead 13-0 at halftime).
- 3rd Quarter: Lions 3, Bears 0 – Bates’ 25-yard FG (he missed a 53-yarder earlier).
- 4th Quarter: Lions 0, Bears 16 – Caleb Williams’ 1-yard TD pass to Colston Loveland + 2-pt conversion to Cole Kmet (tied 16-16); Bates’ game-winning 42-yarder.
Turning Points
- Dominant First Half: Detroit outgained Chicago 237-69 in yards, held a 19:12-10:48 time of possession edge, and didn’t punt until late in the third quarter while bottling up the Bears’ elite rush attack (held to season-low 65 yards).
- Red-Zone Stands: Chicago’s defense forced multiple Detroit settlements for field goals, keeping the door open despite trailing big.
- Late Tie: Williams capped an 88-yard drive with a TD and successful 2-point try with 5:25 left, tying it at 16-16 and energizing the comeback.
- Clutch Final Drive: Facing potential overtime, Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for 26 yards to set up Bates’ winner; an earlier Avonte Maddox INT in the end zone preserved the shutout bid longer.
Standout Performances
- Jared Goff (Lions QB): 27/42 for 331 yards, 1 TD; poised throughout, especially on the game-winning drive.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions WR): Multiple clutch catches, including the 26-yarder that positioned the final FG.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions RB): 15-yard TD reception (tied NFL record for most games with a TD in first three seasons at 31); key runs late.
- Jake Bates (Lions K): 4/5 on FGs, including the 42-yard walk-off.
- Lions Defense: Held Bears to 65 rush yards (their lowest); key stops and Maddox’s red-zone INT.
- Caleb Williams (Bears QB): Late TD drive and 2-pt conversion; fell just short of 4,000-yard season.
- Colston Loveland & Cole Kmet (Bears): TD catch and 2-pt reception in the rally.
Playoff Implications
The Lions (9-8) were already eliminated heading into Week 18, but the prideful win swept the season series against their rivals, avoided a losing record, and provided positive momentum into an offseason focused on fixing late-season collapses and injuries.
For the Bears (11-6), the heartbreaking loss threatened to drop them to the No. 3 seed, but Philadelphia’s defeat to Washington secured Chicago the No. 2 seed anyway. They’ll host the No. 7 Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round—a rematch of their recent rivalry clashes—with a chance for two home playoff games if they advance. The defeat denied momentum but didn’t cost higher seeding, as Chicago enters the postseason as NFC North champions.
