Running back David Montgomery (Lions photo by Jeff Nguyen)
Running back David Montgomery (Lions photo by Jeff Nguyen)
After losing three games in a row, Detroit fans wouldn’t have been surprised if the first-place Chicago Bears crushed the Lions.
But the Lions, who were playing for pride, came to win Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago and showed signs of greatness at times, beating the Bears 19–16 on a last-second field goal.
The running and passing games looked good, though the Lions still scored only one touchdown by Jahmyr Gibbs and four field goals. Kicker Jake Bates missed one field-goal attempt.
The defense also looked solid, giving up just 16 points — two touchdowns and two two-point conversions. The Lions recorded one interception as the Bears were driving in Lions territory.
The Lions ended the season with a winning record of 9–8, the same as the Minnesota Vikings. But because the Vikings beat the Lions twice this season, Detroit finished in last place.
It was a nice gift for coach Dan Campbell, who defeated his former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson has turned the Bears around in his rookie year as head coach, leading them into the playoffs with an 11–6 record. The Lions also beat Johnson’s team earlier in the season.
Four of four sports writers at Sports Illustrated predicted the Bears would win.
Here's what sports reporters had to say:
The Detroit Lions traveled to Chicago as a broken and battered team, hoping to put together one last quality performance before the season was officially over.
But before bidding this 2025 season farewell, they reminded us of the team they could've been.
The Lions controlled Sunday's game against the playoff-bound Chicago Bears from the jump, dominating on both sides of the ball for three quarters before holding off a furious comeback attempt by way of a 42-yard, walk-off field goal from kicker Jake Bates in a 19-16 victory at Soldier Field.
Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press:
So, yes, this game did matter. Maybe, not for the playoffs.
But for something else. This was a game of toughness, pride and yes, let’s bring back that word: Grit.
This was a test of character. And the Lions passed.
Detroit looked like a team fighting for a win early in this game, leading 16-0 entering the fourth quarter. It made you wonder where this effort was the past two weeks, when the Lions’ playoff hopes were still alive. But as the Bears do, they made it a game.
There were some egregious play calls and clock management by the Lions late in the fourth quarter, as well as an ill-advised pass into tight coverage by Goff, leading to an interception. Just sloppy football, and yet, it was enough for a win. Bates won it with his fourth field goal of the night. The win was ugly. It was inconsequential, in some ways. But the Lions got it done.
