Detroit Lions Week 11 Report Card: Late comeback avoids loss in a dreaded trap game
By Zach Payne
With four minutes to go on Sunday, postgame angles were all but totally written. How the Detroit Lions felt the other side of the script they were a part of when they beat the New York Giants last season. How Sunday served as a reminder that on any given week if you don’t bring your all, you can lose to any team in the league.
Yet, it wasn’t the same script. The Lions rewrote the ending, and miraculously (or perhaps mercifully) escaped with a win. Despite only holding the ball for 19:36 in the game, they did enough to win.
Detroit is now 8-2 for the first time since John F. Kennedy was president (1962).
Here is the Lions' report card for Week 11 against the Bears.
Detroit Lions Week 11 Report Card
Offense: 2/5 Stars
If the Lions had lost the game, it 100 percent would've been because of the offense's performance. Detroit shot themselves in the foot repeatedly, to the tune of four turnovers. They gifted the Bears multiple opportunities to drain time off the clock, and score points working with great field position.
Things were looking very bleak. But then, when they were needed the most, the offense woke up in the final four minutes. First, a deep strike to Jameson Williams drew the game to within one score.
.@JaredGoff16 🎯@bigsgjamo for the 32-yard score!#CHIvsDET |📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/v0yXLaVRBF
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 19, 2023
Following a big defensive stop, the offense then made quick work of a game-winning drive. The drive was capped by a one-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery, against his former team.
Ultimately, it’s a poor offensive performance because of the mistakes. However, the comeback win helps cover up the negativity.
Offensive player of the game: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
As always, St. Brown did his thing over the middle of the field. Another eight catches to add to his total, bringing him up to 73 on the year. He’s now on pace for 129 in 16 games (he missed one due to injury).
There’s not too much else to say, St. Brown has been doing this all year. He deserves all the praise in the world for the season he’s having, Sunday’s game against Chicago will go down as another good performance.