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Lions escape Bears’ comeback attempt after Chicago utterly fails final snap

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4 weeks ago

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Thanksgiving games has not the Detroit Lions won since 2016. Fans of lions had to suddenly stop that run-down.

They may honour a Chicago Bears game-management disaster.

Trail by three points, the Bears, with a remaining timeout, let the clock run down to the last seconds following a sack. It ran too far, and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw incomplete on the last pass.

The Lions wound up with a 23–20 victory. The Bears acquired a first down deep inside field-goal range after a dubious defensive pass interference penalty downfield on a fourth-and- fourteen desperation pass. But the drive turned around, and the Bears mishandled the time as badly as you would find in the NFL.

Being sharp every half of an NFL season is difficult; for most of this season the Lions have been really excellent. Though not outstanding, the Lions’ second half at least spared another Thanksgiving defeat. Given their first half domination, it would have been a significant letdown. As they hunt the No. 1 spot in the NFC playoffs, another victory and an 11-1 record are just perfect.

Chicago’s head coach, Matt Eberflus, who is on the hottest seat available following the Bears’ poor game ending, will have a tough week.

Lions Rule the first half.

Past several weeks, the Bears have been doing better. They brought the Minnesota Vikings to overtime and were a blocked field goal from defeating the Green Bay Packers. The Bears were 4-7 heading in, but lately they have not been terrible.

In the first half the Lions made the Bears seem like a college squad.

The Lions outgained the Bears 214-11 in the first quarter and had 15 first downs—a ludicrous quantity in a period of football—to zero the Bears. With a touchdown throw from Jared Goff to tight end Sam LaPorta to lead Detroit 10-0, on the opening play of the second quarter.

All season the Lions’ offence has been outstanding; their defence has made significant progress to keep pace with it. The first three possessions the Bears had all ended in a three-and-out. Until 51 seconds left in the first half, they did not get a first down. Although the Bears have had some really poor offensive performances this season, Thursday’s first half looked to be more about the Lions’ defence overwhelming them. In the first half the Bears had 53 yards. The Lions scored279 points. Detroit was certain to blast them out.

Still, let the Bears have credit. The second half of the game was very different.

Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions built a big lead vs. the Bears but had to hang on as Chicago was a mess on its final play with a chance to tie or take the lead. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions built a big lead vs. the Bears but had to hang on as Chicago was a mess on its final play with a chance to tie or take the lead. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Bears remain players in the game.

Although the Lions were obviously better in the first half, some red-zone problems and a Jahmyr Gibbs fumble well into Bears territory held Chicago’s score to a reasonable 16-0 at halftime. Caleb Williams scored a touchdown just after the half, therefore the Bears reduced their lead to 16-7. The Lions returned precisely. With a dubious horse-collar penalty ruling on a third-down stop guiding them downfield, LaPorta scored his second touchdown.

Nevertheless, the Bears persisted in lingering around. Williams composed himself and produced plays. The Lions lacked the easy movement across the field, and a missed field goal in the fourth quarter by Detroit opened the path for a comeback. With 5:36 left, Williams had a good toss to DJ Moore for a 31-yard touchdown, and after a terrible first half the Bears were within three points.

The Bears pushed a punt, but Detroit had strong coverage and knocked it down at the 1-yard line. Williams maintained the Bears’ chances alive by passing 25-yards to Moore on third down. Chicago pushed it to midfield two minutes from warning. A sack sent the Bears’ drive back, and at Detroit’s 44-yard line they faced a fourth-and- four just beyond field-goal range. Williams threw it long on fourth-and- fourteen, negating a Moore reception for a first down with an offensive pass interference flag. Hand-fighting with Moore, Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor called for a penalty. That allowed the Bears to survive.

After then, Chicago’s drive stuttered under the weight of a sack and a penalty. With thirty seconds remaining, Williams was sacked; it took too long to get the play in and run it. Williams like a novice attempting to organise the team. With around six seconds left, the snap arrived; he held it too long before tossing it downfield.

The Lions had a victory here. It seemed more like the Bears blowing it at the finish.

Lions hang on for 23–20 while Bears mishandle last seconds.

The Detroit Lions won 23–20, although their performance was not flawless. The Bears’ second half comeback came to an easy chance to tie the game and send it to OT, but instead they found a way to muck it up.

Chicago handled the last seconds entirely wrong. The Bears did not take a full timeout, even though they still had one remaining; the clock ran out as Williams’ last pass missed.

On that unusual note, the chaotic midwestern Turkey Day game ended.

Lions feast after messy yet efficient victory.

Having won ten consecutive, the Lions go to 11-1 with their victory.

They so find themselves chowing down on a festive fowl with plenty to be grateful for. In honour of John Madden, Jared Goff—who finished 21–of-34 and passed for two touchdowns—won a special Thanksgiving MVP trophy.

 

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