Lions win tenth straight after holding off Bears in close game
- The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 23-20, extending their winning streak to 10 games.
- Jared Goff led the Lions with two touchdown passes to Sam LaPorta, exhibiting a strong offensive performance.
- Chicago Bears struggled offensively, suffering their sixth consecutive defeat.
In the United States, the Detroit Lions faced off against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, November 28, 2024. The game culminated in a tight score of 23-20, marking the Lions' impressive tenth consecutive victory of the season. Initially, the Lions surged ahead, executing four straight scoring drives that established a commanding 16-0 lead in the first half. Quarterback Jared Goff showcased his talent by completing two touchdown passes to tight end Sam LaPorta, the first of which came from a 3-yard distance in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Bears struggled offensively, failing to gain a first down during their first four possessions, accumulating only 32 total yards at that point. As the game progressed, Goff extended the Lions' lead to 23-7 with a 1-yard touchdown throw to LaPorta in the third quarter. This score was set in motion by a strategic 15-yard reverse play by Jameson Williams, which displayed his athleticism as he hurdled a defender. However, Caleb Williams, the Bears' rookie quarterback and the overall first draft pick, began to find his rhythm, completing a 31-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore, narrowing the score to a mere 23-20 late in the game. Overall, Williams closed the match by attempting a pass from his own 41-yard line as time expired; he ended with a 20 of 39 passing effort, totaling 256 yards and two touchdowns. In terms of injuries, the Bears sustained some critical losses, such as running back Roschon Johnson, who left the game with a concussion. The Lions also faced their share of health concerns with defensive ends Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike suffering injuries during the match, in addition to missing key players like Carlton Davis and Taylor Decker due to pre-game inactivity. On the injury front, Bears guard Ryan Bates and defensive back Elijah Hicks were also listed as inactive. The outcome was particularly significant for both teams. For Detroit, it solidified their spot as a formidable opponent in the league, while Chicago continued to struggle, marking their sixth straight loss. With this result, the Lions snapped a seven-game losing streak that had occurred during previous Thanksgiving matches. The victory sets a positive tone for Detroit as they prepare for future challenges, especially with their next game scheduled against the San Francisco 49ers on December 8, while the Bears look to regroup as they face continued difficulties in their upcoming matchups.