Reactions to Detroit Lions' win over Chicago Bears
Here are reactions to notable moments during Sunday’s Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game, compiled by Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.
This week's Detroit Lions game had a similar feel to the one that preceded it: The Lions played down to their competition at the start, a lot of people overreacted, and then the boys in silver and blue put it together in the second quarter. While this week's contest didn't have the decisiveness of Week 10's matchup with the Browns, Detroit handled Chicago's offense, save the second half scoring drive, after Jordan Howard's second touchdown.
Still, the showcase put on by Howard and Tarik Cohen left much to be desired in the Lions' running defense, especially at the edges. Getting Ziggy Ansah healthy might help, but his absence does not absolve the rest of the defense from giving up 222 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford looked decent for a majority of the game, with the exception of a nearly perfect second quarter, where the Lions did most of their scoring. He finished 21-for-31 with 299 yards and two touchdown passes. He completed passes to eight different receivers, finding Marvin Jones and Ameer Abdullah in the end zone for his two scores.
See you on Thursday, Detroit!
Lions win, 27-24.
He missed... by a lot.
Trubisky scrambles for what seems like a thousand on fourth-and-13. Connor Barth lines up for a 46-yarder, looking to send the game into overtime.
One penalty, two incomplete passes, three ugly plays, and a Prater to save the day. Lions up 27-24.
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Eric Ebron holds onto a pass over the middle. The Lions will have a fresh set of downs in field goal range.
5:09 to go.
Welp, it's 24-24.
The Lions are stopped inside the red zone; Matt Prater makes it 24-17.
Chicago linebacker Leonard Floyd gets carted off the field just moments into the fourth quarter.
An uneventful third quarter fails to yield a single scoring play, but the Lions are getting creative in Chicago territory heading into the game's final act.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the Vikings fall victim to special teams woes. They're tied with Los Angeles, 7-7.
Fans are happy to see their favorite punter back. Sam Martin pins the Bears inside their own 3-yard line.
The Bears defense is doing their best to make sure Stafford is uncomfortable on his flight home.
Roses are red, both offenses have sputtered...
After one half:
The offensive line gives Stafford room to sling it as Da Bears get Da-minated through the air by the Lions' two-minute offense. No. 9 finds Abdullah in the flat, and Detroit is up 21-17 going into halftime.
The Lions force a punt, and they'll have the chance to take their first lead of the day heading into halftime.
"I'm flying, Matt!"
Did somebody say turkey hole? Stafford gives Jones a throw to be thankful for, and he'll stuff it in the endzone for a crispy 28-yard score. 17-14 Bears.
John Fox presumably quoting the great Herb Brooks as he continues to feed Howard: "Again." The second-year back puts the Bears up 17-7
Trubisky emulates #9 and puts the ball on the carpet. DJ Hayden scroops it and takes it back to the house, 10-7 Bears.
Stafford's first quarter struggles continue. He misses a wide open Marvin Jones on third down, and the Bears will begin their next drive inside the twenty.
Jordan Howard doing Jordan Howard things. 10-0, advantage Chi-Town.
A familiar sight: Matthew Stafford plays fast and loose in a closing pocket. The Bears recover the ensuing fumble and will take over near midfield.
The Bears score on an opening drive for the first time this season to go up 3-0. Some folks are less than pleased about it.
Detroit fans hoping the Lions can gain some ground in the playoff picture also have their attention elsewhere in the league, as Minnesota puts their 7-2 record on the line at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
A win in Chicago today would mark the first season that the Lions have defeated all three NFC North rivals on the road since 1961.
The boss is in the house.
A crisp November sky christens the 175th meeting between the Lions and Bears, of which Detroit has been victorious in 7 of the last 8.