Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, Dec. 22, 2024 ~ The Detroit Lions (13-2) never let up the lead in a 34-17 bounce back victory over the Chicago Bears (4-11) on a chilly Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Franchise history was made in the win, as the Lions 13th of the year marks the most ever recorded in a single season.
Quarterback Jared Goff put together another elite stat line, this time in the freezing and windy Chicago temperatures, throwing for 336 yards and three passing touchdowns. On the receiving end of the longest passing touchdown since Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford were on the team was speedy wide receiver Jameson Williams. Goff found him down the middle of the field for an 82-yard score to gain an early 20 point lead. Williams finished the game with a career-high 143 receiving yards.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta also got on the scoreboard with a touchdown. St. Brown found his way through blockers on a screen pass while Goff and running back Jahmyr Gibbs faked a stumble to confuse the defense, leaving LaPorta open for the 21-yard score.
Despite having one more road game left to play, the Lions made franchise history by winning their seventh straight contest away from Ford Field this season to stay undefeated in as many games.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
The @Lions have won 7 road games this year, setting a single-season franchise record.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/a2uUMBabtN
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) December 22, 2024
(CONTINUED) Gibbs racked up both receiving and rushing yards to finish with over 150 yards total on the afternoon to go along with his rushing touchdown, the first of the game for either team.
Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who had been injured for all of the season to this point, recorded one of the team’s two sacks in his first game back. Despite low sack numbers, pressure was put on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams all afternoon, forcing some errant throws and critical mistakes. The defense also tallied two recovered fumbles which helped swing momentum towards the Lions early in the first half.
Kicker Jake Bates had a near-perfect day, going two for three on field goals, missing his only one from 65-yards out.
With the win and an Eagles loss, the Lions have gained a little breathing room at the top of the NFC. In sweeping the season series against the Bears, the Lions will look to a revenge game in San Francisco next week before heading back to Detroit for a potential NFC North clinching rematch against the Vikings.
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