Lions Comeback to Beat Bears in Penalty-filled Nightmare.
The Lions moved to 9-4 after an uncomfortably close 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, their fifth win in a row. Matt Stafford threw two interceptions, the Lions got beneficial calls down the stretch, and somehow Detroit managed to win despite playing one of their worst games of the year. Credit the defense for holding yet another team to under 20 points. Matt Barkley nearly stole the game back at the end, but penalty after penalty kept Chicago from scoring the game-winning touchdown. Check out my quarter-by-quarter notes from the Lions’ 8th comeback win below!
1ST QUARTER:
The Lions received to open the game. Matthew Stafford, on the first offensive play, fled the pocket and found Golden Tate for a first down. Without Theo Riddick, it was Dwayne Washington (not Joique Bell) who got the start at running back. Marvin Jones made a nice catch after missing last week. The Lions milked about six minutes off of the clock, but a penalty just out of field goal range forced a punt. Chicago took over and Matt Barkley came out leading the Bears’ offense.
Barkley connected on a few quick-hitters then Jordan Howard gashed Detroit’s defense up the middle for a big gain. I believe I see DeAndre Levy (crowd roars after he makes a tackle). The Lions forced the Bears to settle for a field goal, going up 3-0. Stafford stood tough in the pocket, taking a shot but finding Ebron for a nice gain. A miscommunication on a run forced Matt into an awkward intentional grounding.
End of 1st: Detroit-0, Chicago-3.
2ND QUARTER:
Detroit punted to start the second, with Sam Martin pinning the Bears inside their own five yard line. Barkley found Deonte Thompson for a 24-yard strike to give them some breathing room. “Big Play Slay” broke up a third down pass intended for Josh Bellamy, and the Bears punted. Joique Bell was called for an illegal block which negated a big Andre Roberts return. Stafford looked to have hurt his finger, putting on gloves. #GloveGate2.0?
He looked fine on the next play, finding Marvin Jones and then Eric Ebron for a first down. Another Lions penalty — this time a hold on left tackle, rookie Taylor Decker — backed up the Lions again. Golden Tate’s 14-yard reception got those yards right back, however. An “illegal hands to the face” penalty was called on Graham Glasgow when it was actually on the Bears defensive lineman. Worst call I’ve ever seen!
Stafford rolled out and found Marvin Jones for a 48-yard bomb. A quick WR screen pass to Zach Zenner had Detroit inside Chicago’s ten. Great coverage/slight defensive holding forced a Matt Prater field goal. Lions tie it at 3. Chicago took over with just over four minutes left in the half but quickly punted it back to the Lions. Stafford got the ball with a final shot before halftime. A defensive hold on Marvin Jones netted Detroit 38 yards — to the Bears’ 43. Boldin made a great sideline catch to convert on third. Stafford found Boldin again for his 7th TD of the year. Lions go up 10-3.
Halftime: Detroit-10, Chicago-3.
3RD QUARTER:
Chicago opened the half with a nice completion to Bellamy for a big gain but a penalty backed them up. They punted it and the Lions came back out on offense. Stafford scrambled for a first down, and then Zach Zenner popped a nice run for another. Stafford’s pass was batted so Prater came out and DRILLED a 54-yarder. Lions go up 13-3. The Bears started slowly on their next drive, but Jordan Howard broke lose again. He had 79 yards on his first 10 carries.
Bellamy made another great catch to get to the Detroit 31. Barkley then hit Meridith for a 31-yard TD pass. The score was 13-10, Lions after the touchdown. Detroit took over with three minutes left in the third. Dwayne Washington continued to run hard and a WR screen to Tate was good for a first. The Lions ran a good, creative draw run for another conversion.
End of 3rd: Detroit-13, Chicago-10.
4TH QUARTER:
Lions started the fourth on the brink of field goal-range, with the ball. A pass interference penalty on a deep pass to Marvin Jones put the ball on the Chicago 15. Stafford was intercepted when a near TD pass to Tate was tipped up into the air in the end zone. A defensive hold was called that extended a drive on third down for the Bears. Middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead nearly picked off a Matt Barkley pass. Kerry Hyder Jr sacked Barkley on 3rd down, (his 8th of the year) forcing a punt.
Stafford made a bad read and threw his 2nd pickm intended for Boldin and Chicago took it for a touchdown. They went ahead, 17-13, with seven minutes left. Zach Zenner started Detroit’s next drive with a run for11 yards then Stafford found Boldin for a huge gain into Bears’ territory. A pass interference against Chicago gave Detroit the ball at the opposing 8. Stafford, on 2nd & goal, scrambled up the gut for 8 yards and a touchdown. The Bears took over with three minutes left.
Matt Barkley converted a 3rd & 8, and the Bears had the ball at the two-minute warning. He completed a couple of short drag routes to get near midfield. A huge Bears gain was taken back on a holding call on Chicago. Another call against the Bears’ offense brought back another play. On fourth & 11. Barkley’s pass was incomplete and the Lions got the ball with second left.
End of Game: Detroit-20, Chicago-17.
3 Stars of the Game:
1. Anquan Boldin: Boldin had a great game, finishing with 3 grabs for 49 yards and a TD pass. He also moved into the top-10 in all time receptions. Give the Lions’ elder-statesman some love!
2. Matthew Stafford: Stafford wasn’t perfect, or even all that good. He was clutch late, however, like always. His TD scramble late in the fourth quarter gave Detroit their 8th comeback win of the season. Stafford was 21-35 for 2 TDs (1 rushing) and 2 INTs. He was clearly not the same after hurting his finger early in the game.
3. Nevin Lawson: It’s time to give this young-pup some props. He was physical all day, making big plays in key moments. He likely got away with some defensive holds, but that’s what good corners do in this league. 4 tackles and 2 passes defended.
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