Lions QB reflects on a nail-biting win over the Bears and his first Thanksgiving victory

The Detroit Lions moved to an impressive 11-1 on the season after a hard-fought 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. The game ended in dramatic fashion, leaving both teams on the edge of their seats, but it was Jared Goff and the Lions who walked away with the win.

A Thrilling Finish to Thanksgiving Football

As the game wound down, the Lions’ offense held on to a slim lead, but it was a last-minute clock mismanagement by the Bears that sealed the win for Detroit. With just 32 seconds left in regulation, the Bears’ offense failed to recognize the urgency, allowing time to slip away on a long downfield pass.

For Goff, this was more than just another win—it was his first Thanksgiving victory with the Lions, and the quarterback couldn’t help but soak in the moment. Speaking with CBS after the game, Goff shared his excitement, saying, “It was awesome.” He reflected on the intense finish, adding, “We fought hard. We fought until the end and got it done.”

Goff’s Perspective on the Endgame Chaos

The end of the game featured quick decisions from both sides, which made the situation especially challenging. Goff noted the difficulty of managing such a tense moment, acknowledging the importance of preparing for these scenarios.

“It’s hard, man,” Goff admitted in the postgame press conference. “The end of the game stuff, it’s hard. It’s real-time decisions both sides are making…a lot of time spent on situational stuff.” But, in the end, it was the Lions who came out on top.

Goff also took a moment to praise the Bears’ quarterback, Caleb Williams, who despite the loss, played well in a tough spot. “I thought Caleb played really well,” Goff said. “We’ll have our battles for a long time, but he’s a good player and did a good job.”

Memories of Thanksgiving: Food and Football

The Thanksgiving tradition of feasting wasn’t lost on Goff, who, after the win, got to enjoy some of the holiday’s finest foods—field-side. When asked about the Thanksgiving meal, Goff laughed and shared, “It was actually pretty good. The stuffing was good. We were having a good time.” For Goff, the combination of football and family made this holiday one to remember. “It’s awesome. It’s a memory I’ll have forever.”

Dan Campbell’s Praise for Sam LaPorta

The Lions’ head coach, Dan Campbell, also had high praise for his players following the win, especially second-year tight end Sam LaPorta. Despite dealing with injuries throughout the season, LaPorta caught three passes for six yards in the game, two of which resulted in touchdowns.

Campbell noted, “I feel like this is the healthiest he’s been in a while during the season. He’s in good shape.” He continued, “I don’t want to say you take it for granted, you forget all he does for us.” LaPorta’s contribution to the offense continues to be a bright spot for Detroit.

The Bears’ Missed Opportunity

On the other side of the field, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus addressed his team’s missed opportunity in the game’s final moments. Despite the Bears’ struggle to manage the clock, Eberflus explained the thought process behind not using a timeout earlier in the game. “Our hope was, because it was third going into fourth, that we would re-rack that play at 18 seconds,” he said, trying to justify the decision. Unfortunately for Chicago, time simply ran out, and their chance to steal the game was gone.

As Detroit celebrates this dramatic Thanksgiving win, Jared Goff’s words ring true: the game was chaotic, but ultimately, it was a victory the Lions will remember.