Lions vs. Bears: Detroit falls on Thanksgiving in must-win
Third Quarter
Taylor Gabriel caught a nine-yard pass to open up the third quarter as Chicago began their newest drive. Chase Daniel continued to drive his team downfield as he displayed patience and efficiency with his decision making. On 3rd & 8, Detroit’s defense came down with a sack by Ezekiel Ansah who has gotten a sack in each game that he’s played in so far this year. TJ Jones fielded the subsequent Chicago punt with a fair catch at the Lion 18-yard line.
Outplayed by a career backup, at this point of the game, the tenth year signal caller Matthew Stafford looked to get his legs under him. After a thrown away pass, Blount got the carry and he took it for nine yards. On the third-down play, LeGarrette easily converted the short yardage for the first down.
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With the new set of downs, Stafford had to get rid of the ball sooner than he would’ve liked due to defensive pressure from the Bears. Next play, Riddick gained five yards on the ground and on the next snap on 3rd & 5, Riddick lost six yards after the catch which forced yet another punt by the Lion offense.
“Snacks” Harrison came up with his second sack of the day on second down and on third down, Ansah nearly got another sack but somehow Daniel escaped to dump the ball off on an incompletion. Bear punter Pat O’Donnell booted a 55-yard punt and the Lions would get another opportunity to put up some points offensively.
LeGarrette picked up eight-yards to open up the next series and after that play, Stafford found Kenny Golladay gained 43-yards on a huge play, Detroit’s biggest of the day. Blount picked up four on the ground and from there, Stafford found Riddick for a 17-yard gain to set the Lions up with 1st & Goal from the 8-yard line of the Bears.
Blount took his next snap up the middle for a gain of four more and after that play, he immediately powered his way into the end zone once again for his second score of the game. The Lions opted for two but failed on the conversion, 13-9 Detroit.
Detroit’s rookie cornerback Tracy Walker III came down with a great special teams tackle as he stopped the Bears at their own 18. Chicago continued moving the chains on this series though and on 3rd & 3, a catch by Gabriel converted the Bear first down and ended the third quarter.