CHICAGO — In a thrilling conclusion, Jared Goff orchestrated five scoring drives, and Jake Bates clinched the victory with a 42-yard field goal as the clock hit zero, leading the Detroit Lions to a 19-16 triumph over the NFC North champion Chicago Bears. This win came after the Lions nearly squandered a 16-point lead in the final quarter.
The Bears, despite suffering consecutive losses, secured their playoff spot with the No. 2 seed in the NFC thanks to Washington’s win over Philadelphia. With this seeding, Chicago (11-6) is set to host Green Bay in a wild-card showdown next week. A victory against the Packers would ensure home-field advantage for the Bears in the divisional round.
Caleb Williams, who made history by setting the Bears’ single-season passing record, ignited a comeback with two touchdown throws in the fourth quarter, erasing a daunting 16-0 gap.
Meanwhile, the Lions (9-8) finished their season on a high note after Bates’ decisive field goal, assisted by a crucial 26-yard reception from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. This win snapped Detroit’s three-game losing streak.
Overcoming a rough previous game, Goff threw for 331 yards, delivering a touchdown and an interception. The four-time Pro Bowler completed 27 of his 42 attempts, bouncing back from a performance marred by two interceptions, three fumbles, and five sacks against Minnesota.
St. Brown shone brightly with 139 yards on 11 catches, while Gibbs contributed 80 rushing yards and a touchdown reception. Avonte Maddox’s end-zone interception of Williams in the third quarter was pivotal as the Lions concluded a season filled with initial Super Bowl aspirations on a victorious note.
Williams threw for 212 yards, giving him 3,942 this season to surpass Erik Kramer’s franchise mark of 3,838 in 1995. Chicago remains the only team without a 4,000-yard passer.
Colston Loveland caught 10 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Byard had his league-leading seventh interception.
The Bears trailed 16-0 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Williams connected with Jahdae Walker for a 25-yard touchdown and broke Kramer’s record. A 2-point conversion run by Kyle Monangai cut it to 16-8.
After the Lions punted, Chicago went 88 yards for a touchdown, with Williams finding Colston Loveland in the end zone from the 1. A lunging Cole Kmet then hauled in the 2-point conversion pass in a crowd, tying it at 16 and whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
The Lions then had the ball at the Chicago 35 when Goff attempted to zip a pass to St. Brown. The Bears’ Jaquan Brisker tipped the ball and Byard picked it off at the 5.
Injuries
Lions: WR Tom Kennedy (rib) was hurt returning a punt in the third quarter.
Bears: The Bears held out LT Ozzy Trapilo (knee/quad) after he was limited in practice during the week. … LB Ty Summers (foot) left after he was injured on the opening kickoff.
Up next
Lions: Start the offseason.
Bears: Host Green Bay in a wild-card game next weekend.
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