The Detroit Lions hadn’t won a Thanksgiving game since 2016. Lions fans had to unexpectedly sweat to end that streak.
They can thank a Chicago Bears game management fiasco.
The Bears, who still had a timeout, let the clock run down until the final seconds after a sack, trailing by three points. He went too far and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw an incomplete throw on the final play.
The Lions ended up winning 23-20. A questionable defensive pass interference penalty downfield on a fourth-and-14 desperation pass gave the Bears a first down well within field goal range. But the drive went backwards, and then the Bears mismanaged the clock, as poorly as you’ll see in the NFL.
It’s hard to be accurate about either half of an NFL season, and for most of this season the Lions have been very good. The Lions’ second half wasn’t impressive, but at least they didn’t suffer another Thanksgiving loss. After the way they dominated the first half, this would have been a serious disappointment. As it stands, another win and an 11-1 record is just fine as they chase the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
For Chicago, it will be a long week for coach Matt Eberflus, who is in the hottest spot possible after how the Bears blew the game late.
The Lions dominate the 1st half
The Bears have played better in recent weeks. They blocked a field goal after beating the Green Bay Packers and took the Minnesota Vikings to overtime. The Bears were 4-7, but haven’t been an inept team of late.
The Lions made the Bears look like a college team in the first half.
In the first quarter, the Lions outscored the Bears 214-11 and recorded 15 first downs (a ridiculous number in a quarter of football) to zero for the Bears. Detroit scored on the first play of the second quarter, with Jared Goff’s touchdown pass to LaPorta to take a 10-0 lead.
The Lions offense has been fantastic all season and the defense has made great strides to match it. The Bears’ first three possessions all ended in a three-and-out. They didn’t get a first down until 51 seconds remained in the first half. The Bears have had some horrible games on offense this season, but Thursday’s first half seemed to be more focused on the Lions defense dominating them. The Bears had 53 yards in the first half. The Lions had 279. It looked like Detroit was going to eliminate them.
But give the Bears credit. The game was very different in the second half.
Bears stay in the game
The Lions were clearly superior in the first half, but some trouble in the red zone and a Gibbs fumble deep in Bears territory kept the score at a manageable 16-0 for Chicago at halftime. Just after halftime, Caleb Williams hit Keenan Allen for a touchdown and the Bears cut their deficit to 16-7. The Lions came back immediately. Aided by a questionable horse collar penalty on a third-down stop, the Lions marched down the field and LaPorta got his second touchdown.
But the Bears continued to hang around. Williams calmed down and played. The Lions’ offense didn’t advance as easily down the field, and a missed fourth-quarter field goal by Detroit kept the door open for a comeback. Williams made a nice pass to DJ Moore for a 31-yard touchdown with 5:36 left, and despite a miserable first half, the Bears were within three points.
The Bears forced a punt but Detroit had good coverage and took it down at the 1-yard line. Williams kept the Bears’ hopes alive with a 25-yard pass to Moore on third down. Chicago moved him to midfield after the two-minute warning. A sack set the Bears back, and they faced a fourth-and-4 just outside field goal range at the Detroit 44-yard line. There was an offensive pass interference call that negated a Moore catch for a first down, then Williams threw it deep on fourth-and-14. Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor was getting into a hand fight with Moore and the officials called the penalty. This kept the Bears alive.
The drive stopped after that, with a sack and a penalty putting them back. Williams was sacked with 30 seconds left and it took too long to get the play started and executed. Williams looked like a rookie trying to organize the team. The snap came with about six seconds left and he held it too long before throwing it downfield.
It was a victory for the Lions. That’s to say
Live46 updates
-
Lions hold on for 23-20 win as Bears mishandle final seconds
The Detroit Lions pulled off a flawed victory, taking a 23-20 victory. The Bears’ second-half surge ended with an easy chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but they instead found a way to blow it.
Chicago completely mismanaged the final seconds. Although they had a full timeout left, the Bears didn’t take it and the clock ran out when Williams’ final pass fell incomplete.
On that strange note, the Midwest Turkey Day wild game has come to an end.
-
Lions relish after the mess – but effective! – earn
With the win, the Lions move to 11-1, having won 10 straight.
As a result, they can eat a party bird with plenty of reasons to be grateful. Jared Goff, who went 21 of 34 and threw two touchdowns, won a special Thanksgiving MVP award in honor of John Madden.
-
Chicago’s final drive still hampered by flags
The Bears had a locked up first down, but were sacked with an illegal use of hands call. Williams was sacked on the next play.
-
Dueling pass interference flags create chaos in the final minute
On fourth down, Bears tight end Cole Kmet was called for offensive pass interference, forcing Chicago to replay fourth down with a ten-yard penalty added. But on the next play, the Lions called pass interference and gave Chicago a sudden first down at the Detroit 25.
-
The Bears allow a third sack on Williams, but are able to convert the first down
Caleb Williams was sacked again this campaign, his third sack of the day coming from Al-Quadin Muhammad. But Williams made two big plays in a row, with a 14-yard pass to DJ Moore and a 12-yard run from D’Andre Swift putting the Bears over the line for a first down.
Chicago now has two minutes and 50 yards left to get a tying (or winning) score.
-
Massive first down keeps the game alive for Chicago
-
Detroit goes three-and-out but at least they got a good punt
The Lions’ special teams did most to successfully complete the punt at the one-yard line.
-
Monster touchdown pass from Williams to DJ Moore
It’s now a one-score game, with Williams getting the long throw to DJ Moore and bringing the Bears within three points.
-
Even down 10 points, Caleb Williams continues to push
-
Detroit misses the basket
Jake Bates made three baskets today, but his fourth went wide right. It’s still 23-13, with Detroit’s lead a little slimmer than they’d like.
-
Jameson Williams reported for taunting
Lions receiver Jameson Williams got a little too merry after a short gain, taunting defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and throwing the ball in Stevenson’s face. The unsportsmanlike conduct flag brought things back to second and 22 for Detroit.
-
DJ Reader Gets Massive Fire From Caleb Williams
DJ Reader gets his second sack of the game on Caleb Williams, resulting in a loss of 11 yards. Williams’ next pass is incomplete (and almost intercepted), and the Bears will have to punt… again.
-
Keenan Allen is down after that last play, but it’s unclear if there’s a serious injury or not. Allen had both of Chicago’s touchdowns today and it would be a huge loss for the Bears offense if he was ruled out.
-
Caleb Williams finds Keenan Allen for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion is no good
Chicago is determined to make this game one to watch, with Caleb Williams connecting with Keenan Allen for the second touchdown of the day.
But the Bears were unable to get the two-point conversion and the score remained at 23-13.
-
Big gain of 29 yards for D’Andre Swift
-
Goff and LaPorta connect for their second touchdown
Jared Goff fakes the field to the backfield and finds an open Sam LaPorta for their second touchdown of the day. Detroit takes a 23-7 lead.
-
Jameson Williams with the obstacle to get the Lions into the red zone
-
Caleb Williams’ touchdown pass is all the more impressive because it comes just after a clumsy tackle from Jack Campbell. Williams’ legs were bent back at an awkward angle on his way down, but he seemed to be doing just fine — and brought Chicago within nine points.
-
The Bears make it 16-7 thanks to a great touchdown run by Williams
Caleb Williams hit Keenan Allen again with a massive 31-yard touchdown run, cutting Detroit’s deficit. Chicago is still in this thing.
-
With the second half underway, Caleb Williams makes a big throw to get Chicago out of a tough situation
It looked like things got off to a rough start for the Bears, with Caleb Williams being sacked by Lions lineman DJ Reader and his next pass going incomplete. But on third-and-15, Williams connected with Keenan Allen for an 18-yard gain, getting the first down and proving the Bears have life.
