Lions at Bears final score: Detroit edges Chicago, 21-19
By Josh Sanchez
The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears were set to do battle in a key NFC North match up, which the Bears were feeling good about thanks to the return of starting quarterback Jay Cutler. Both teams entered the game at 5-3, so the winner would have the inside track of taking the division lead — especially with the Green Bay Packers set to be without Aaron Rodgers for the next month and a half.
Chicago struck first with a 32-yard pass from Cutler to wide receiver Brandon Marshall, but Matthew Stafford quickly struck back with a five-yard pass to Kris Durham to get the Lions on the board.
After halftime, the Lions were able to take a one possession lead thanks to a touchdown pass from Stafford to star wideout Calvin Johnson, but the Bears answered back with two field goals to narrow the lead to one-point.
Detroit had an opportunity to extend their lead to four-points midway through the final quarter, but David Akers shanked a 45-yard field goal wide right.
However, after the Bears failed to get anything rolling, Stafford was able to find Johnson again for a 14-yard touchdown, which was Johnson’s 63rd of his career. The touchdown pushed Johnson ahead of Herman Moore for the most receiving touchdowns in Lions history.
It was now time to see if Cutler had any magic left. The team would need a touchdown and two-point conversion in order to force overtime.
Unfortunately, Cutler’s injured ankle left the team rolling with Josh McCown from the two minute warning on.
Brandon Marshall converted a huge fourth down to keep the Bears chances alive with just over a minute to go, as the Bears got within the red zone. After a short pass to Martellus Bennett, McCown was able to make a play with his legs and find Brandon Marshall in the back of the endzone for the score.
On the two-point conversion, McCown sailed the ball out of the back of the endzone, but a penalty on the Lions gave Chicago another chance to convert. On their second attempt, the Bears attempted to run the ball right up the middle, but they were stuffed by Nick Fairley and the attempt was no good.
Chicago would need to recover an onside kick, which they were unable to scoop up.
After the failed last ditch effort, the Lions secured a 21-19 win.