Rapid Rewind: After getting punched in the face, resilient Lions respond with resounding win over Bears
Chicago — If you’ve been paying attention to the Detroit Lions the past two years, you should have expected Sunday's 34-17 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Under coach Dan Campbell, the Lions are resilient. When they stumble, they don’t stay down. And when they bounce back, it’s often with authority.
After getting punched in the face by the Buffalo Bills last week, the Lions loaded up on moldy bread and reminded everyone they’re still a Super Bowl contender.
The offense carried the way, doing more than enough to overcome a handful of hiccups by the depleted defense. The Lions scored on six of their first seven possessions — the lone exception a missed 65-yard field goal try at the end of the first half — jumping out to a 20-point lead in the first half, which allowed them to cruise across the finish line against a hapless Bears team that dropped its ninth straight.
The victory pushed the Lions to 13-2 on the year, setting a new franchise record for wins in a season. It also kept them in pole position for the top seed in the NFC with two games to go.
Game ball
Despite earning an early flag for taunting, wide receiver Jameson Williams delivered a career-high 143 yards on five receptions, including an 82-yard score in the first half and a weaving 25-yard grab that kickstarted a touchdown drive to open the third quarter.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 9:35 — After Detroit's defense forced a three-and-out to open the contest, the offense drove 55 yards into the red zone before quarterback Jared Goff turfed a third-and-3 dropback with his receiving options blanketed. Instead of going for it on fourth down, the Lions took the easy points, a 30-yard Jake Bates field goal, to open the scoring. LIONS 3, BEARS 0
● 5:34 — Taking over at the Bears’ 36-yard line following a fumble recovery, the Lions quickly worked into the red zone with a 23-yard screen pass to Jahmyr Gibbs. After a 9-yard run by the back set up first-and-goal at the 1, Gibbs needed three more tries, but eventually got it across the goal line. LIONS 10, BEARS 0
● 0:02 — Translating a second takeaway into points, Gibbs opened the series with carries of 12 and 11 yards before the Lions stalled. Goff was hit as he threw on third down, causing an incompletion and ending the threat, but Bates converted from 38 yards to extend Detroit’s opening-quarter advantage. LIONS 13, BEARS 0
Second quarter
● 12:49 — Two plays, 93 yards. After an 11-yard run by Gibbs, Goff hit Williams in stride with a deep ball down the middle for an 82-yard score. That marked a career-long completion for Goff. LIONS 20, BEARS 0
● 6:31 — Brian Branch was beaten on a pair of man-coverage matchups — including one that converted a fourth-and-3 — while running back D’Andre Swift racked up 34 yards from scrimmage. Those set up a 1-yard, play-action touchdown toss from quarterback Caleb Williams to tight end Cole Kmet to cap a 14-yard drive. LIONS 20, BEARS 7
● 0:58 — Gibbs continues to shoulder the load, gaining 26 yards on three touches to open the possession. On third-and-goal from the 8, Goff threw a quick out to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The receiver kept his balance while pinballing off multiple defenders to get across the goal line. LIONS 27, BEARS 7
● 0:39 — A devastating close to the half for the Lions as the Bears get into the end zone with a lightning-quick, three-play drive. In zone coverage, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold bit on a double-move as veteran receiver Keenan Allen got open deep down the right sideline for the 45-yard touchdown reception. LIONS 27, BEARS 14
Third quarter
● 12:18 — Detroit wasted little time taking back control of the game after the break, driving 79 yards in five plays. Williams had a 25-yard catch-and-run early in the series and Goff found tight end Sam LaPorta open on a corner route for a 21-yard touchdown. Before the throw, the QB intentionally stumbled while taking the snap to create confusion for the defense. LIONS 34, BEARS 14
● 6:03 — Chicago worked into the red zone with their response, but the decision to take a field goal when facing fourth-and-7 from the 12-yard line irked the home crowd. LIONS 34, BEARS 17
Fourth quarter
● None
Turnovers
● On an attempted end-around in the first quarter, Bears receiver Rome Odunze bobbled the exchange. Lions defense end Josh Paschal dove on the loose ball for the recovery.
● With the Bears working across midfield, Odunze coughed it again. Safety Brian Branch was credited with forcing the first-quarter fumble, but a bit hit from behind by Mitchell Agude also appeared to be a contributing factor. Linebacker Ben Niemann was able to recover the ball after it came out.
Key stats
● Goff completed 23-of-32 for 336 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
● Gibbs handled almost all the backfield workload, carrying it 23 times for 109 yards and a touchdown and adding another four receptions for 45 yards.
● Branch paced the Lions for the second straight game with 12 tackles (10 solo).
Notable
● Sixth-round draft pick Christian Mahogany earned his first career start in place of injured left guard Graham Glasgow.
Defensively, the Lions shifted Amik Robertson to the outside in place of injured starter Carlton Davis III, played Branch in the slot in their nickel package, with Ifeatu Melifonwu taking safety snaps in those looks.
● The Lions set a new franchise record for points scored in a season, besting the 474 they produced in 2011.
● Goff set a new career-high with his 33rd touchdown pass of the season early in the third quarter.
● Bates lined up for a 65-yard field goal to end the first half, but the effort came up short and was wide left.
● St. Brown became the second player in franchise history to catch 100 passes in three consecutive seasons.
Injuries
● None for the Lions.
Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones had to be carted off the field with a significant ankle injury.
Inactives
The Lions made the following players inactive for the contest: Glasgow, running back David Montgomery, linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive lineman Jonah Williams, defensive tackle Brodric Martin, offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal and offensive tackle Giovanni Manu.
Montgomery had previously been ruled out with an injured knee. Glasgow also had a knee injury and was listed as questionable entering Sunday.
Next game
The Lions hit the road again, heading to San Francisco for an NFC Championship rematch with the 49ers on Monday Night Football on Dec. 29.
No injuries!
Have to figure Ben Johnson is going to become a head coach at some point, maybe next year. And he certainly deserves a chance to be a head coach. But Ben, could you do us Lions fans a favor? Go to an AFC team. Jacksonville has a franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, and they’re a no income tax state.