CHICAGO — Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions came out strong and delivered an impressive bounce-back performance, leading to several team records. Goff threw for an impressive 336 yards and three touchdowns, ensuring that the Lions continued to lead the NFC with their franchise-record 13th victory by defeating the Chicago Bears 34-17 on Sunday.
Jameson Williams had a standout game with a career-high 143 yards on five receptions, which included an 82-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Jahmyr Gibbs also contributed significantly with 109 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping the Lions (13-2) break a tie with both the 1991 and 2023 squads for the most wins in the franchise’s history. Additionally, the Lions set a new record for points in a single season with 493 and improved their road game record to 7-0, a franchise best.
The Lions dominated from the start against the Bears (4-11), executing a trick play where Goff pretended to fumble while dropping back, which deceived the defense, allowing him to throw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta, extending their lead to 34-14. This performance was precisely what Detroit needed after suffering a 48-42 defeat against the Buffalo Bills, which had snapped a franchise-best 11-game winning streak and left the Lions tied for first place in the conference with Philadelphia and Minnesota.
Head coach Dan Campbell reflected on the pressure of competition, stating, “This is when your eyes get opened. It just doesn’t get any better than this. This is what you live for.” He acknowledged the challenges this brings but emphasized that the team is thriving amidst those circumstances.
The day further improved for Detroit when Washington secured a thrilling 36-33 win over Philadelphia with a last-second touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Jamison Crowder, which Lions players eagerly watched. Goff noted, “We know the circumstances, but we still have to win these games, and we know that. It doesn’t change what we had to do anyway.”
On the opposing side, the Bears’ Caleb Williams threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns but faced mounting frustration as their streak of nine consecutive losses extended. Goff had another impressive outing just a week after being the first quarterback to lose despite throwing for over 400 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. This week, he completed 23 of 32 passes without any interceptions, clearly winning the support of Lions fans.
Goff’s performance also showcased his versatility, as he threw touchdowns to Amon-Ra St. Brown and set up Gibbs for a 1-yard touchdown run. Gibbs, alongside Goff, joined the ranks of notable Lions running backs with over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns.
The Bears have struggled against the Lions, losing five of their last six encounters. Unlike their previous Thanksgiving Day matchup, where poor coaching decisions from then-coach Matt Eberflus led to a loss and ultimately his firing, they didn’t seriously challenge the Lions this time. Williams acknowledged, “I think we fight. I think we’ve got to have better execution.”
Though Williams showed improvement compared to a prior game, when he looked overwhelmed against Minnesota, the Bears under interim coach Thomas Brown fell to 0-3. His teammates, including Keenan Allen with nine receptions for 141 yards and a 45-yard touchdown, also noted the need for improvement.
In looking to bounce back, the Lions have not suffered consecutive losses since a tough stretch early in the 2022 season, and they outscored Chicago 13-0 in the first quarter, striking quickly again in the second. Williams’ 50-yard touchdown marked his fourth of that length this season, showcasing Detroit’s offensive prowess.
The game saw injuries for the Bears, notably when left tackle Braxton Jones exited the game in the second quarter after sustaining an ankle injury while blocking, leading to a considerable team effort to care for him on the sideline.
Looking ahead, the Lions are set to visit San Francisco next Monday night for a rematch of last year’s NFC championship game, while the Bears will host Seattle on Thursday.
