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Lions vs Bears, 24-20: Full highlights, final score and more

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lions and Bears were both fighting to stay out of last place in the NFC North on Sunday afternoon.

57. 24. 50. Final. 20

After making the playoffs a season ago, the Detroit Lions were looking to make consecutive appearances for the first time in recent memory. That hasn’t been the case as Detroit began the season 1-7, but has since improved to 6-9, looking to finish the second half of the year 6-2 with a win over the Chicago Bears in the finale.

Chicago was looking to avoid a second loss of the season to the Lions and a last place finish in the NFC North. Jay Cutler was having one of his better seasons during his career but he would be without a few of his top targets who were ruled as inactive for Sunday’s game.

Detroit struck first with a nice, long drive with a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Tim Wright. Chicago almost scored right after, but an interception in the end zone ended the hopes of tying it early on.

It was an ugly game for the entire first half as there was no offensive output other than the Lions’ opening drive score and an incredible 59-yard field goal by Matt Prater before the half. Both Cutler and Stafford had a tough time moving the sticks and the teams went into halftime with a 10-0 score in the Lions’ favor.

The Bears came back to strike right away in the second half, tying it up with a few minutes to go in the third, but the Lions’ Calvin Johnson caught a touchdown pass to go ahead heading into the fourth. This game would be going down to the wire.

A late Cutler interception, his third, sealed the Bears’ fate, especially after Calvin Johnson caught the game-clinching first down pass which led to the Lions running out the clock with no Chicago timeouts left.

Three Stars

Calvin Johnson had the best numbers of any receiver in this one and looked great in the season finale, catching 10 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Matthew Stafford kept his hot streak alive, passing for 298 yards and three touchdowns, basically showing he deserves the starting job next season.

Matt Forte was the Bears’ top performer in possibly his last game, rushing for 76 yards while catching three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Full Highlights

".@Ebron85 best catch as a #Lions#LionsProudhttps://t.co/ks49l69HWw— STRLionsTalk Podcast (@STRLionsTalk) January 3, 2016"

"Stafford chooses @Ebron85 over Tim Wright for the go ahead TD! #LionsProud #DetVsChi https://t.co/Y8t37fxSCC— STRLionsTalk Podcast (@STRLionsTalk) January 3, 2016"

Betting Odds

Detroit opened as a 2.5-point favorite and the over/under was set at a modest 45 points. The Lions covered the spread, but both teams combined for just 44 points.

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