In this first Thanksgiving match, we long thought the Lions were ahead. The first half of the match left little room for doubt. Even if Detroit came up against the Bears defense on a few occasions, the score after the locker room was more than telling: 16-0 for the locals.
But after the break, the Bears showed a completely different face. Caleb Williams (20/39, 256 yards, 3 TDs), well supported by Keenan Allen (5 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs) and DJ Moore, was able to get closer to his opponents. To the point where the young rookie could even have equalized at the very end of the game to snatch an extension! That was without counting his coach Matt Eberflus, who completely forgot to use his last timeout and therefore let the clock run out completely.
The Lions had a few cold sweats at the end of the match but will be able to enjoy their turkey and their comfortable first place as leader in the NFC conference. Jared Goff (21/34, 221 yards, 2 TDs) did what was necessary and was able to count on a David Montgomery (21 races, 88 yards) / Jahmyr Gibbs (9 races, 87 yards) duo that was still as solid. Sam Laporta also had a good match with two touchdowns scored.
The Lions dominate the debates
The Lions' attack stumbles a little at the start, but still opens the scoring with a field goal. For the Bears, we settle for a punt after three attempts. Which gives the Lions the opportunity to take off at the start of the 2nd quarter. Jared Goff finds Sam LaPorta for a 3-yard touchdown.
Then, new 3 & out for Chicago, new breakthrough for Detroit. The offensive steamroller continues to do damage but still stumbles a few yards from the paint. Jake Bates increases the score with a new field goal. It makes it 13-0 for the locals midway through the second quarter.
The drives follow one another and are similar. After a third consecutive punt from the Bears, Detroit scores another field goal. The third of the game. For its part, Chicago continues to sink. On a 4e attempt to finally get the first first down of the game, Caleb Williams does not connect and gives possession back to the Lions 34 yards from the end zone. A beautiful gift at first glance.
This was without counting a fumble by Jahmyr Gibbs, hit a few cables from the end zone. Caleb Williams regains control and also colors. He finally converted his first first down of the match. But caught by the clock, Chicago returned to the locker room without a single point at the break.
Matt Eberflus ruins everything
Things are going a little better for the Bears at the start of 3e quarter. On the first drive, Keenan Allen received a precious 31-yard touchdown. He gives his team a little hope. But the Lions have not lost their bite. And Jared Goff finds Sam LaPorta for the second time in the game.
Williams' response, however, was not long in coming. He delivers another touchdown to Keenan Allen. And then both teams slow down. After an exchange of punts, Detroit gets back within field goal range again. But Jake Bates misses from 45 yards.
Chicago, on the other hand, is getting dangerously close! Caleb Williams throws a 31-yard bomb to DJ Moore to close the gap. A new touchdown which brings the score to 23-20, still in favor of the Lions. But Dan Campbell's men can no longer do it and clear again.
Chicago tries everything for everything. Caleb Williams finds himself in an unfortunate position with a 4e and 14 to convert. We think he is lost and finally, a defensive pass interference saves the Bears. There are then a handful of seconds left to turn the match around. But the Bears' disastrous coaching will prevent any chance of an equalizer. Matt Eberflus presumably forgets to use his last timeout and the clock continues to run down as Williams attempts a final, desperate deep pass. The Lions were hot!
