The Detroit Lions faced the Chicago Bears in Week 17, needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They had won six of their last eight games, but last week’s showing against the Caroline Panthers was one of, if not the worst performance of the season. However, today they made last week look more like an aberration than the norm.
Detroit Lions dominate the Bears, keep playoff hopes alive.
One of the main keys for the Lions today was going to be stopping the run. The Bears were able to run on them in the first matchup, and after the disaster at Carolina, this became imperative.
1st quarter:
The game did not get off to the best of starts when the defense failed to stop the Bears who went 75 yards on nine plays for a touchdown. The Lions responded, after getting bailed out on a fourth down pass interference call, when Brock Wright found the end zone after a play-action pass from Goff. The Bears were able to respond and take another first-quarter lead after they settled for a field goal.
The defense gave up 105 yards to Justin Fields in the first quarter, not setting a great tone for the day and needing to make adjustments.
First Quarter Score: Lions 7 – Bears 10
2nd Quarter:
Here’s where the defense and the Lions took complete control of the game. In the second quarter, the Bears could get nothing going on and the Lions couldn’t be stopped.
D’Andre Swift got the scoring started, the defense created havoc in the Bears’ backfield, and the offense just kept clicking.
The defense created a nightmare scenario, led by the rookies. Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston, and Josh Paschal all recorded sacks in the second quarter, with Hutchinson ending the half with another interception.
Brock Wright secured his second touchdown of the game, eclipsing single-season tight end touchdown record established in 2011. Michael Badgley added a field goal right before the half and the Lions were in control.
Second Quarter Score: Lions 24 – Bears 10
3rd Quarter:
The third quarter was just a continuation of what happened in the second. Jamaal Williams found pay dirt, Swift added to his total on the day too, and the defense got more and more stingy. Fields’ strong start, slowed very quickly, picking up only 27 more yards on the ground for the rest of the day.
Third Quarter Score: Lions 38 – Bears 10
4th quarter:
As would be expected, the game really slowed in the fourth as the Lions kept burning the clock and the Bears could get nothing going on the day. The Lions’ defense, to their credit, adjusted and did not let the Bears pick up a first down in the second half.
Final Score: Lions 41 – Bears 10
By the Numbers:
