Lions’ historic season continues with Thanksgiving Day win against Bears

DETROIT — With an 11-1 start, the best in team history, the Detroit Lions continue to end a long list of notable droughts.

The Lions, who defeated the Chicago Bears 23-20, had lost seven straight Thanksgiving Day games, which was a point of emphasis all week by coach Dan Campbell.

The Lions dominated the first half with 18 first downs compared to the Bears’ two. Chicago’s first attempt came with 55 seconds left in the second quarter. The second half was a different story as the Bears stormed back, only to come up short after a sack and an incomplete pass as time expired on the final drive.

Quarterback Jared Goff was 21 of 34 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. The running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 175 yards.

While honoring the late John Madden with patches on their uniforms, the Lions’ defense also pitched a first-half shutout in front of a star-studded crowd that included actor Tim Allen, rapper Eminem, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and the Lions running back. Aidan Hutchinson, who was wearing vacation clothes in a suite. –Eric Woodyard

Detroit Lions (11-1)

Most surprising performance: TE Sam LaPorta. After a record-breaking rookie season, the Pro Bowler got off to a slow start in Year 2 with two touchdowns in Weeks 1 through 8. But LaPorta connected with Goff on two receiving touchdowns in his second game after being sidelined against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 17 with a shoulder injury.

Describe the game in two words: Defensive disappointment. Prior to Keenan Allen’s 31-yard touchdown reception from Caleb Williams early in the second half, the Lions defense had not allowed a touchdown since halftime of the Houston Texans game in Week 10. The Lions passed 12 consecutive quarters without surrendering a touchdown under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Detroit would allow three total touchdown passes in the second half.

Worrying trend: Injury woes continue for the Lions, as defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and DL Josh Paschal (knee) were ruled out early in the second half. Pro Bowl running back Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Alex Anzalone, DL John Cominsky, LB Derrick Barnes, DL Marcus Davenport, safety Ifatu Melifonwu and ace/special teams linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin are key defensive players on the injured reserve. — Woodyard

Next match: vs. Packers (8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 5)

A second-half comeback put the Bears within striking distance of their division rival. Chicago erased a 16-point deficit after a one-sided first-half game behind quarterback Caleb Williams, who completed 20 of 39 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

It was enough to leave the Bears down three points late and in position to finally see the other side of a one-score affair.

But Chicago couldn’t use its final timeout in the final moments and allowed time to run out on its chance to win its first NFC North game in 11 months.

QB Breakdown: This was a tale of two halves for the first draft pick. Williams struggled to extend plays in the first two quarters, going 0-for-3 with a fight against pressure, 0-for-6 on passes with 15+ air yards and 0-for-2 on passes thrown outside the pocket. On Chicago’s first drive of the second half, Williams led the Bears’ longest drive of the day (74 yards) capped by a touchdown to Allen. That touchdown throw set a franchise record for rookie passing touchdowns (12), previously held by Charlie O’Rourke (1942). Williams has thrown 231 passes without an interception, the longest streak by a rookie in NFL history.

Worrying trend: Matt Eberflus’ seat went from hot to boiling after the Bears lost their sixth straight loss. Whether marked by his impulse to throw the challenge flag (he’s 0-5 this season), poor game management (a timeout remaining and the Bears let time run out on their comeback), or fielding a team poorly prepared, the blows against Eberflus continue to add up. He is 2-13 against NFC North opponents (.154), which is the worst record in the NFL since he was hired in 2022. The Bears are set for a head coaching search in January, as each loss consolidates the destiny of Eberflus.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Allen sparked the Bears’ second-half comeback with two touchdown catches to cut the Lions’ lead to 10. What’s concerning is how long it took for Allen to get involved. The 32-year-old receiver wasn’t targeted until the third quarter after seeing 15 passes his way a week ago against the Vikings. -Courtney Cronin

Next match: at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 8)