Lions lose ugly game to the Bears, 17-14
By Matt Urben
The Detroit Lions’ offense didn’t seem to show up in their 17-14 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford threw two interceptions as the Lions fell to last place in the NFC North. An inexcusable loss likely all but kills Detroit’s playoff chances. With a 1-3 record, the “Fire Caldwell” people will be louder than ever, as this team has now lost two games in which it had no business losing. There were no bright spots, just frustration, penalties, bad play-calling, and pretty much every same old Lions cliche you can think of. The Lions couldn’t run the ball, they got no defensive pressure, and quite frankly, they deserved to lose this game. An Andre Roberts punt return brought out some late-game hope — closing the gap to just three points with under two minutes left in the 4th quarter — but they botched the onside kick and that was it for Detroit. Here are my notes from the game if you so choose to put yourself through it again.
1st Quarter
The Lions kicked off to the Bears to start the game and quickly forced a punt. After an incompletion to Eric Ebron on 3rd down, Detroit punted it right back. The Bears popped a nice run with Jordan Howard then gave it to former Lions RB Joique Bell who got a couple yards. Slay made a nice open-field tackle on 2nd down but Brian Hoyer hit Alshon Jeffery on 3rd to convert. Tahir Whitehead was called for a ticky-tack pass interference call when he didn’t get his head around, to set up the Bears TD pass. Hoyer hit Eddie Royal to go up 7-0. The Lions started the next drive with two bad penalties. Stafford was lucky to avoid an ugly interception and the Lions happily punted. Darius Slay blitzed off of the edge to get a drive-killing sack on 3rd down. The Lions offense couldn’t take advantage, though. They were getting bullied up front and punted yet again as the first quarter was ending.
End of 1st: Chicago-7, Detroit-0.
2nd Quarter
The Lions continued to stop the Bears but just couldn’t move the ball. Stafford missed Cole Wick and then threw it to Riddick out of bounds to force another quick punt. The Bears lost a challenge on a Kevin White incompletion. On 4th and 1, the Bears elected to run it with Joique Bell but were stuffed for no gain. Detroit took over midway through the 2nd, down 7-0 still. Marvin Jones caught a slant and took it 17 yards. Boldin came open across the field on 3rd and 10 for a nice conversion. An incompletion on 3rd and 2 caused Detroit to settle for a 50-yard field goal, which Matt Prater drilled. Kerry Hyder Jr got another sack, giving him 5 on the year. The Bears’ kicker missed a 50-yarder. With under a minute left in the half, Detroit started moving the ball well. Jones caught another 17-yarder and they quickly were in field goal range. However, Stafford was picked off when he was expecting Tate to break off his route. It was nearly a pick-six but Stafford’s tackle saved any last second points.
Halftime: Chicago-7, Detroit-3.
3rd Quarter
Detroit got the ball to begin the 3rd quarter. After a dreadful start to the drive — including a false start on Larry Warford — Stafford scrambled for 15-yards and a first down. Marvin Jones had a first down grab along the sideline and then Riddick broke off an 11-yard run. Ebron and Boldin each chipped in a catch to get Detroit into the red-zone. Riddick got stuffed twice on the goal-line and then Zenner got annihilated, forcing the Lions to take a field goal. Detroit trailed 7-6, midway through the 3rd quarter. Hoyer hit Eddie Royal for 64-yard grab (the Bears’ longest play of the year). He then found tight end Zach Miller wide open in the end-zone, making it 14-6, Chicago. The Lions continued to spin their wheels in the dirt on offense. They just couldn’t get into any rhythm and Stafford struggled for most of the game. He wasn’t getting much time and seemed rattled from early on.
End of 3rd Quarter: Bears 14, Lions 6.
4th Quarter
The Bears opened the 4th methodically driving into Lions territory. They milked a good five minutes off of the clock but settled for a 25-yard field goal. Detroit trailed by 11, with just over 10 minutes left in the game. The Lions slowly drove down the field but couldn’t get anything going. The team played with no urgency, despite being down two scores with under five minutes left. Quick screens, draws and a series of short passes weren’t fooling Chicago. Stafford threw an interception with 4 minutes left that all but ended the game. Had the Lions not taken six minutes just to throw an interception, they’d have had a legit shot to make the comeback. Still, they got the ball back with two minutes left and Andre Roberts ran it back for a touchdown. After Tate caught a two-point conversion, the Lions trailed just 14-17 with 1:52 left. They couldn’t recover the onside kick, though, and with no timeouts left, the Bears were able to hold on for the win.
Final Score: Bears 17, Lions 14.
3 Stars of the Game
3. Andre Roberts
Roberts had a few nice returns, including an 85-yard touchdown with under two minutes left in the game. Roberts gave the fans just a tiny glimmer of hope before the team failed to recover an onside kick. He also had one catch for 8 yards. Roberts accounted for the only Lions touchdown of the game.
2. Kerry Hyder Jr.
It wasn’t a great game for Hyder, but it wasn’t a great game for anyone really. He did get a sack in his fourth straight game. Hyder now has an impressive 5 sacks on the season. Other than the sack, he didn’t get much pressure for the rest of the game, but it’s hard to blame the one guy that is outperforming expectations.
1. Brian Hoyer
Hoyer was quietly effective. He made the big plays when needed and thoroughly outplayed Matthew Stafford for much of the game. Hoyer’s performance may have taken Jay Cutler’s starting job, but I have to blame the Lions’ defense for not pressuring Hoyer more. He finished 28-36 for 302 yards and two touchdowns. His 120.1 quarterback rating was one of the best of his career. Brian ‘F’-ing Hoyer?!