Through The Associated Press, by Andrew Seligman
Chicago The Detroit Lions, led by Jared Goff, were tuned in from the beginning and put up a strong comeback. It also included several team records.
With their franchise-best 13th victory, 34-17 over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Detroit Lions maintained their lead in the NFC, led by quarterback Aaron Goff, who threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
On five catches, Jameson Williams amassed a career-high 143 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Detroit (13-2) broke a tie with the 1991 and 2023 teams for the most victories in franchise history when Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 109 yards and a touchdown. Along with improving to 7-0 away from home, which is a franchise record for road victories, the Lions also established a single-season scoring record with 493 points.
Against the Bears (4-11), the Lions established control early on. They even demonstrated their superiority by executing a trick play in which Goff purposefully slipped while dropping back. Gibbs pretended to fall for the ball as the Detroit players yelled, “Fumble!” Goff then threw to Sam LaPorta for a 21-yard touchdown, making the score 34–14.
After losing to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills 48–42, it was exactly what Detroit needed. The Lions were now tied for first place in the conference with Philadelphia and NFC North rival Minnesota after ending an 11-game winning streak that was the franchise’s greatest.
At this point, coach Dan Campbell stated, “your eyes get opened, competition is at its highest, people are breathing down your neck, or you’re chasing somebody and you’re at the top.” There is just no better option than this. This is the main focus. Is it possible for it to become unpleasant or frustrating? Yes, it receives all of those. It’s the drug, too. It’s the substance. This is your life’s work. Some people can’t, you see. This is too much for some people. For them, it is too much. It’s simply too much for teams, coaches, and players. Not our gang, though. We’re in the thick of things right now, guy, and this is the good stuff.
When Washington defeated Philadelphia 36-33 thanks to a touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Jamison Crowder in the final seconds, Detroit’s day took yet another positive turn. The Lions players used their phones to witness the game’s conclusion.
Josh Paschal, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, celebrates recovering from a fumble by the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Chicago. (Photo by Nam Y. Huh/AP)
We are aware of the situation we are in, and it goes without saying that Washington’s victory helps our chances of making the playoffs, but we still need to win these games, Goff stated. In any case, that doesn’t alter what we had to accomplish. Yes, we must prevail, and San Francisco will follow.
After the Bears lost their eighth straight game and garnered additional jeers from their irate supporters, Caleb Williams passed for 334 yards and two scores.
A week after he became the first NFL player to lose while throwing for 400+ yards and five touchdowns without being intercepted, Goff put on another impressive performance. The three-time Pro Bowl player had Lions supporters singing his name as he completed 23 of 32 passes without being intercepted.
In the second quarter, Goff also threw to Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 8-yard touchdown, in addition to the deep ball to Jameson Williams and the trick play to LaPorta.
Gibbs caught four catches for 45 yards and scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. The only Lions running backs with at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns are him, Barry Sanders, and Billy Sims.
More misery for the Bears
For the fifth time in six games, the Bears fell short against Detroit. They never truly challenged in this game, unlike the Thanksgiving Day showdown when then-coach Matt Eberflus botched the conclusion and was fired the following day.
We fight, I believe. Caleb Williams stated, “I think we need to have better execution.”
At least Williams had a better game for the Bears after appearing mentally and physically exhausted during a crushing defeat at Minnesota. 26 of 40 was the first overall draft selection.
Near the end of the first half, Keenan Allen caught nine passes for a season-high 141 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown.
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Chicago, Detroit Lions supporters cheer on their team during the first half of an NFL football game versus the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Cole Kmet caught a touchdown pass, and Rome Odunze contributed 77 yards of receiving. Under interim coach Thomas Brown, the Bears lost 0–3.
Looking for the good, it’s simply insufficient, Kmet stated.
Bouncing back
Since losing five straight games early in the 2022 season, the Lions have not lost in a succession. And they have no intention of allowing the Bears to alter that.
They scored early in the second quarter after outscoring Chicago 13-0 in the first. Goff struck Jonathan Owens in stride after Jameson Williams beat him down the middle on a play-action pass. This season, it was Williams’ fourth touchdown of 50 yards or more.
Injuries
Bears: LT Braxton Jones left the game early in the second quarter due to an ankle injury sustained while blocking a pass. Players formed a semicircle on the Chicago sideline as medical staff attended to Jones before he was carried off the field.
Up next
Lions: In a replay of last year’s NFC championship game, the team will travel to San Francisco on Monday night. The 49ers have already lost their postseason spot.
Bears: Thursday night, host Seattle.
https://apnews.com/hub/NFL is the AP NFL.
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