Although Detroit’s playoff fate was sealed on Christmas Day, the Lions still had one final task: a season-ending matchup against division champion Chicago. Facing the NFC North winners, Detroit put aside a frustrating year and finished strong, defeating the Bears 19–16 on Sunday to secure a winning record.
The Lions entered the contest at 8–8, while Chicago arrived riding momentum with an 11–5 mark and the division crown already locked up.
Previous results and records didn’t matter once the game kicked off, as Detroit matched intensity with pride and came away with its fourth straight season finishing above .500.
Jared Goff orchestrated five scoring possessions, and kicker Jake Bates delivered the decisive moment, drilling a 42-yard field goal as the clock expired. The win didn’t come easily, as Detroit nearly let a 16-point advantage slip away late.
Strong Start, Chaotic Finish
Detroit controlled the opening half, shutting out Chicago and taking a 13–0 lead into the break. Early in the fourth quarter, the Lions extended the margin to 16–0, but momentum quickly shifted.
Chicago stormed back with two touchdowns and a pair of successful two-point conversions, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 16. The Bears’ surge flipped the energy inside the stadium and set up a dramatic finish.
With just over five minutes remaining, Detroit began a promising drive in a tied game but turned the ball over, giving Chicago a chance to complete the comeback. After forcing a punt, the Lions got one final opportunity with less than a minute left. Goff moved the offense efficiently, and Bates calmly knocked through the game-winning kick.
Bears Enter Playoffs on a Stumble
Despite the loss, Chicago (11–6) still secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC thanks to Washington’s win over Philadelphia. The Bears will host Green Bay in the wild-card round and could retain home-field advantage in the divisional round with a victory. Still, Sunday marked their second straight defeat heading into the postseason.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams set a franchise record for passing yards in a season, finishing the game with 212 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdown throws.
Individual Performances Stand Out
Goff rebounded from a rough outing the week prior, throwing for 331 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He completed 27 of 42 passes after enduring a season-worst performance in Minnesota that included multiple turnovers and five sacks.
Amon-Ra St. Brown led all receivers with 11 catches for 139 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs added 80 rushing yards and contributed a touchdown reception. Defensively, Avonte Maddox intercepted Williams in the end zone during the third quarter, halting a Bears scoring threat.
Williams finished the season with 3,942 passing yards, surpassing Erik Kramer’s long-standing franchise record from 1995. Despite the milestone, Chicago remains the only NFL team without a 4,000-yard passer.
Colston Loveland caught 10 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown for Chicago, while Kevin Byard recorded his league-leading seventh interception.
Fourth-Quarter Fireworks
Chicago’s rally began early in the fourth quarter when Williams connected with Jahdae Walker for a 25-yard score, followed by a successful two-point run by Kyle Monangai. After a Lions punt, the Bears marched 88 yards for another touchdown, capped by a short scoring pass to Loveland.
Cole Kmet secured the tying two-point conversion in traffic, knotting the score at 16.
Detroit later threatened again, reaching the Chicago 35-yard line, but Goff’s pass intended for St. Brown was tipped by Jaquan Brisker and intercepted by Byard at the goal line. The mistake nearly proved costly before Detroit’s final drive sealed the outcome.
Injuries
Lions: Wide receiver Tom Kennedy exited in the third quarter with a rib injury suffered while returning a punt.
Bears: Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo was inactive due to knee and quad issues, while linebacker Ty Summers departed after being injured on the opening kickoff.
What’s Next
The Lions now turn their attention to the offseason, ending a season filled with lofty expectations on a positive note despite falling short of their ultimate goals.
