dominating 34-17 win at the Chicago Bears. Turns out that reports that the sky was falling were unfounded. The win set the franchise record for 13 wins in a season.
With two games remaining, the Lions (13-2) still control their own destiny. Win out — at the 49ers and at home to the Vikings — and they earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
The Lions, who are a perfect 7-0 on the road, were coming off a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, just their first loss since September which made this game seem that much more important. They haven’t lost back-to-back games since October 2022.
“As I told them, the two most important things to me were I wanted to see us play Detroit football and I wanted to win. That was it, I gave no other stipulations,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.
He has preached resilience since Day One and it has stuck.
“We’ve got a group of guys that we all feel the same way. We don’t go in the tank, we don’t lack confidence, and you know I think just collectively, I gravitate to people who are like me in that manner and between coaches and players, we have a group that is that way,’’ Campbell said. “They’re very resilient and they get aggravated if they lose and want to clean it up.’’
He repeatedly said there is much to work on after the win which he says every week, but he did have a smile on his face. It seemed to get wider when he was informed the Eagles, now 12-3, lost to the Commanders.
“It takes a special group of guys to emotionally and physically and psychologically bounce back after a tough loss especially when you haven’t lost in a while, go out and win on the road again,’’ Campbell said.
“I told the guys I did know that was a team record, a franchise record 13 wins has never been done. I told them one day we’ll be able to look back and enjoy that, but not yet, it’s not the time. We’ve got our work cut out for us,’’ Campbell added.
It was the ninth straight loss for the Bears who the Lions also beat on Thanksgiving.
Five of the main reasons the Lions beat the Bears:
ONE: The Lions offense got off to a fast start taking a 20-0 early lead and holding a halftime edge of 27-14. They scored on their first five possessions and didn’t punt until there were 5 minutes left in the game. In the previous week’s loss to the Bills, they fell behind early and could not catch up. So a quick start was at the top of the to-do list for a win. Check.
TWO: With David Montgomery out, RB Jahmyr Gibbs carried the load in the run game which had struggled in the past few weeks. Not on Sunday. Detroit finished with 145 rushing yards and Gibbs had 109 of them, including a rushing touchdown. “That was somewhat his first taste of taking on more of the load,’’ Campbell said. “It was good.” Running the ball was key to taking time off the clock. Gibbs has produced 100-plus scrimmage yards in nine games this season. This is the most by a Lions RB since Barry Sanders in 1997.
THREE: Wide receiver Jameson Williams’ 82-yard touchdown catch again proved that his speed makes him nearly impossible to stop. Of course, it was an amazing pass by Goff too. Williams got off to a rough start with a taunting penalty in the first quarter. Same thing happened when the Lions beat the Bears on Thanksgiving and Williams apologized to his teammates for the bonehead move. On Sunday, Campbell had a talk with him on the sideline but kept him in the game. He had five catches for 143 yards. “I love where he’s at right now,’’ Campbell said. Goff said his connection with Williams continues to grow. “He’s obviously one of the best deep threats in our league. Even when it’s not perfect, and I think keven those two, last week and this one, wasn’t the perfect look for him to make that play today and finish in the end zone. That’s what he’s capable of and there’ll be more of that, hopefully,’’ Goff said.
FOUR: The Lions defense had not had a takeaway in four games and then they had two in the first half. Bears’ WR Rome Odunze fumbled both times with Josh Paschal recovering the first and Jack Campbell the second. The offense responded with scores on both. Bears QB Caleb Williams found more of a rhythm in the second half, but the Lions defense only allowed one field goal in the second half.
FIVE: Jared Goff can never be overlooked. With the defense playing next-man-up football, much was expected from the offense. Goff delivered. Again. He completed 23 of 32 attempts for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Plus he should be in the running for an Oscar for his fake stumble before connecting with Sam LaPorta for a 21-yard touchdown pass. It was a play they had worked on all last week. Goff has now produced 41-career 300-yard passing games, tying Dan Marino and Matt Ryan for the second-most 300-yard games through nine seasons in NFL history. And Goff is the third QB with a 13-plus win season for multiple franchises in NFL history. He joins Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
UP NEXT: Lions (13-2) at 49ers, 8:15 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30.
Lions Lowdown 