DETROIT

The Detroit Lions continue to prove their dominance this season, showcasing an impressive point differential that has seen them routinely dismantle opponents. On Thursday, they edged out the Chicago Bears with a nail-biting 23-20 victory, extending their winning streak to a staggering 10 games.

Quarterback Jared Goff was instrumental in the win, tossing two touchdown passes to tight end Sam LaPorta, complemented by Jake Bates' three field goals in the first half. "It was a crazy ending, right?" Goff exclaimed after the game, reflecting on a finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.

With mere minutes left on the clock, the Bears found themselves in Lions territory, primed for either a game-tying field goal or a go-ahead touchdown. However, a costly blunder thwarted their chances. Caleb Williams, the Bears' rookie quarterback and the No. 1 draft pick, was sacked at the Detroit 41 as time expired, rendering an incomplete pass and leaving Chicago's hopes dashed with one timeout still remaining. "I’m focused on getting everyone back and getting everyone lined up," Williams said. “We could have taken a timeout, but if we hit that play, no one would be worried about it.”

The Lions' remarkable record of 11-1 marks the best start in franchise history after 12 games. Their ten-game winning streak ties the franchise record first set in 1934. Meanwhile, the Bears, with a record of 4-8, have now experienced six consecutive losses, four of which were decided by a mere 10 points—a testament to their ongoing struggles.

Coach Matt Eberflus’ record now stands at a dismal 5-17 in games decided by single-digit margins, ranking him last among coaches with at least 20 such games. "We're right there,” he said, reiterating a sentiment of near-misses as frustration lingers.

From the opening whistle, Detroit signaled their intent, quickly establishing a 16-0 lead by halftime, and a 23-7 edge after three quarters. This early dominance was solidified by Goff's adept passing. The game saw the Bears fail to gain a first down in their first four drives, managing only 32 yards in that span—an indication of their struggle against the Lions' fierce defense.

"The start was great offensively and defensively," praised Lions coach Dan Campbell, highlighting his team's ability to dictate the pace. Goff's second touchdown pass to LaPorta, a short 1-yarder, came just before the third quarter ended, capitalizing on a dazzling 15-yard reverse play by Jameson Williams, who leapt over a defender to add vital yardage.

Despite the Lions' poised performance, the Bears mounted a late comeback, with Williams throwing two touchdown passes to Keenan Allen and another to DJ Moore—all amid an impressive display that, until the final moments, kept the game in contention. Williams did, however, experience a rookie slip-up, taking a low hit instead of heading out of bounds on what he termed a "funky" play. "Knee is fine, but that play was kind of funky," he noted.

Detroit almost further solidified their lead but saw Bates miss a 45-yard field goal attempt, after having started his NFL career with 19 consecutive hits. The miss came after a controversial 15-yard penalty on Williams for unsportsmanlike conduct, for which he later expressed remorse.

The Lions had a special reason to celebrate—not only did they snap a seven-game losing streak on Thanksgiving but they now look forward to an exciting finish to the season. "We're going to enjoy this," Campbell stated.

The injury front was equally concerning for both teams. Bears running back Roschon Johnson left the game with a concussion, while key players like guard Ryan Bates and defensive back Elijah Hicks were inactive. The Lions also faced casualties, with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez potentially suffering a serious knee injury, marking yet another blow to a defense already weakened by injuries to several key players, including Aidan Hutchinson, who is sidelined with a broken leg.

Up next, the Bears will look to bounce back as they head to San Francisco on December 8, while the Lions will attempt to continue their historic run in the weeks ahead. Fans can hardly wait to see if Detroit can maintain—or even extend—their winning momentum!