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The Detroit Lions hadn’t won a Thanksgiving game since 2016. Lions fans had to break a sweat unexpectedly to break that streak.
They can thank a fiasco in game management by the Chicago Bears.
The Bears, who had one timeout remaining, let the clock run down to the final seconds after a sack, losing 23-20. It went too far and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw incomplete on the final play.
The Lions ended up winning 23-20. A questionable downfield defensive pass interference penalty on a desperation pass on fourth-and-14 gave the Bears a first down well within field goal range. But the momentum receded and then the Bears mismanaged the clock as poorly as you’ll see in the NFL.
It’s hard to be ready every half of an NFL season, and for most of this season the Lions have been very good. The Lions’ second half wasn’t impressive, but at least they didn’t suffer another loss on Thanksgiving. After how they dominated the first half, it would have been a huge disappointment. As it stands, another win and an 11-1 record is fine as they chase the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
For Chicago, it will be a long week for coach Matt Eberflus, who is in the hottest seat possible after the way the Bears botched the end of the game.
The lions dominate the 1st half
The Bears have been playing better the last two weeks. They came within a blocked field goal of beating the Green Bay Packers and took the Minnesota Vikings to overtime. The Bears were 4-7 to start, but they haven’t been an inept team lately.
The Lions made the Bears look like a college team in the first half.
In the first quarter, the Lions outscored the Bears 214-11 and had 15 first downs (a ridiculous amount in a football quarter) to zero for the Bears. Detroit scored on the first play of the second quarter, with a touchdown pass from Jared Goff to LaPorta to take a 10-0 lead.
The Lions offense has been fantastic all season and the defense has made great strides to match it. The Bears’ first three possessions ended in a three-and-out. They didn’t get a first down until there were 51 seconds left in the first half. The Bears have had some terrible games on offense this season, but Thursday’s first half seemed to revolve more around the Lions’ defense dominating them. The Bears had 53 yards in the first half. The Lions had 279. It looked like Detroit would blow them out.
But you have to give the Bears credit. The game was very different in the second half.
The bears are still in the game
The Lions were clearly superior in the first half, but some trouble in the red zone and a fumble by Gibbs deep in Bears territory kept the score at a manageable 16-0 for Chicago at halftime. Just after the half, Caleb Williams connected with Keenan Allen for a touchdown and the Bears cut their deficit to 16-7. The Lions returned immediately. Aided by a questionable penalty on a third-down stop, the Lions drove downfield and LaPorta scored his second touchdown.
But the Bears kept circling. Williams settled down and made plays. The Lions’ offense didn’t move up and down the field as easily, and a missed field goal by Detroit in the fourth quarter kept the door open for a comeback. Williams had a nice pass to DJ Moore for a 31-yard touchdown with 5:36 left, and despite a miserable first half, the Bears were within three points.
The Bears forced a punt, but Detroit had good coverage and scored at the 1-yard line. Williams kept the Bears’ hopes alive with a 25-yard pass to Moore on third down. Chicago moved him to midfield at the two-minute warning. A sack stopped the Bears’ drive, and they faced a fourth-and-4 just out of field goal range at the Detroit 44-yard line. There was an offensive pass interference call that negated Moore’s catch for a first down, and then Williams threw him deep on fourth-and-14. Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor was fighting with Moore and officials called the penalty. That kept the Bears alive.
The drive stalled after that, with a sack and a penalty setting them back. Williams was sacked with 30 seconds left and it took too long to make the play and execute it. Williams looked like a rookie trying to organize the team. The center came with about six seconds left and he held it too long before launching it downfield.
It was a victory for the Lions. That is to say
Live46 updates
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Lions hold on for 23-20 win as Bears mishandle final seconds
The Detroit Lions earned an imperfect victory, earning a 23-20 victory. The Bears’ second-half drive ended an easy chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, but instead they found a way to ruin it.
Chicago completely mishandled the final seconds. Despite having a full timeout remaining, the Bears did not take advantage of it and time ran out when Williams’ final pass fell incomplete.
On that strange note, the wild Turkey Day showdown in the Midwest came to an end.
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The lions feast messily, but effectively! – gain
With the win, the Lions move to 11-1, having won 10 in a row. As a result, they may devour a celebration bird that has much to be thankful for.
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Chicago’s latest trip is further hampered by flags
The Bears had a secured first down, but were ejected with an illegal use of hands. Williams was sacked on the next play.
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Pass interference flag duel creates chaos in last minute
On fourth down, Bears tight end Cole Kmet was called for offensive pass interference, forcing Chicago to repeat the fourth down with a ten-yard penalty added. But on the next play, the Lions called pass interference and gave Chicago a sudden first down at the Detroit 25-yard line.
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The Bears allow a third sack to Williams, but manage to convert the first down.
Caleb Williams was sacked again in this series, and his third sack of the day came from Al-Quadin Muhammad. But Williams was able to make two big plays in a row, with a 14-yard pass to DJ Moore and a 12-yard run by D’Andre Swift to get the Bears over the line for a first down.
Chicago now has two minutes and 50 yards to go to achieve a game-tying (or winning) score.
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Massive first down keeps game alive for Chicago
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Detroit goes three for three, but at least they got a great punt
The Lions’ special teams did everything they could to score the punt at the one-yard line.
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Williams’ monster touchdown pass to DJ Moore
It’s now a one-score game, with Williams launching a long throw to DJ Moore and bringing the Bears within three points.
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Even down 10 points, Caleb Williams keeps pushing
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Detroit misses field goal
Jake Bates made three field goals today, but the fourth went wide right. It’s still 23-13, with Detroit’s lead a little smaller than they would like.
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Jameson Williams accused of mocking
Lions receiver Jameson Williams became overly cheerful after a brief gain, taunting defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and throwing the ball in his face. The unsportsmanlike conduct flag brought things back to second-and-22 for Detroit.
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DJ Reader receives mass firing from Caleb Williams
DJ Reader gets his second sack of the game on Caleb Williams, resulting in a loss of 11 yards. Williams’ next pass is incomplete (and nearly intercepted), and the Bears will have to punt…again.
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Keenan Allen is down after that last play, but it’s unclear if there is a serious injury or not. Allen has both of Chicago’s touchdowns today and would be a huge loss for the Bears’ offense if he is ruled out.
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Caleb Williams finds Keenan Allen for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion is no good
Chicago is determined to make this a game worth watching, with Caleb Williams connecting with Keenan Allen for the second touchdown of the day.
But the Bears miss the two-point conversion and the score remains at 23-13.
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Big 29-yard gain for D’Andre Swift
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Goff and LaPorta connect for their second touchdown
Jared Goff fakes the throw into the backfield and finds Sam LaPorta open for his second touchdown connection of the day. Detroit takes a 23-7 lead.
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Jameson Williams with the obstacle of putting the Lions in the red zone
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Caleb Williams’ touchdown pass is even more impressive given that it came right after an awkward tackle by Jack Campbell. Williams’ legs were bent back at an odd angle on his way down, but he appears to be fine and has brought Chicago within nine points.
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Bears bring the score to 16-7 with an excellent Williams touchdown throw
Caleb Williams hit Keenan Allen again with a huge 31-yard touchdown, closing Detroit’s deficit. Chicago is still in it.
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With the second half underway, Caleb Williams makes a great shot to get Chicago out of a tough spot.
It looked like things were off to a rocky start for the Bears, with Caleb Williams being sacked by Lions lineman DJ Reader and his next pass falling incomplete. But on third-and-15, Williams connected with Keenan Allen for an 18-yard gain, getting the first down and showing that the Bears have some life.