Detroit Lions Beat Chicago Bears 34-17 on Thanksgiving Day

The Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears, 34-17, on Thanksgiving Day.

The Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears, 34-17, on Thanksgiving Day.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s 390 passing yards and two touchdowns led the way for Detroit, which improved its record to 8-4 on the season, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions’ official website: 

“The Detroit Lions offense woke up in a major way Thursday vs. Chicago.

“After going 25 straight possessions without scoring a touchdown, the offense exploded for three touchdowns in the second quarter as the Lions scored a total of 34 points and defeated the Bears, 34-17, on Thanksgiving. 

“The victory snaps a two-game losing streak for the Lions and improves their record to 8-4 on the year, which ties them with Green Bay heading into the Packers’ matchup with New England on Sunday.

“Quarterback Matthew Stafford had a terrific day throwing the ball as he completed 34 of 45 passes for 390 yards and two touchdowns with a 116.0 passer rating. 

“His favorite target on the day was Calvin Johnson, who caught two first-half touchdowns (25 and 6) and finished with 146 yards on 11 receptions.

“Johnson surpassed 10,000 career receiving yards i the game and also recorded his 42nd career 100-yard receiving game, which ties him with Hall of Famer Cris Carter for 15th on the all-time list. 

“After falling behind 14-3 early on, the offense woke up from its nine-quarter slumber by utilizing its best weapon — Johnson.

“The offense scored touchdowns on their last three possessions of the first half. Johnson caught seven passes for 79 yards and two scores over those three drives. Bears rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller struggled all day to contain Johnson.

“The Lions defense started a little slow (two early Alshon Jeffery touchdowns), but buckled down from there and limited the Bears to a field goal the rest of the way.

“The Lions outgained the Bears, 474 to 269, in the game.

“Safeties Glover Quinn and James Ihedigbo recorded fourth-quarter interceptions on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler to ice the win.”

FINAL: @ChicagoBears 17 – @Lions 34 #CHIvsDET pic.twitter.com/SBeNzh4mSL— FOX Sports NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 27, 2014

Mike O’Hara of the Lions’ official website lauds the team’s offense in the dismantling of its NFC North rivals on Thanksgiving Day:

“What the Lions did to the Chicago Bears was no way to treat a visitor on any holiday — Ground Hog Day, National Radiator Repair Day or Thanksgiving Day.

“They sent the Bears back to Chicago with a sick feeling to their stomachs. The Lions’ offense shoved too many big plays down the defense’s throat, and the defense cut the Bears’ offense off from having a third helping after it scored two early touchdowns.

“In a game the Lions knew they had to win to stay on track for a serious playoff run, their offense got greedy to to end a two-week famine when they failed to score a touchdown in road losses to the (Arizona Cardinals) and (New England) Patriots.

“And on the other side of the ball, the defense ended its own sack drought. After two games without a sack, the Lions sacked Jay Cutler three times and intercepted two passes. 

“There was enough to satisfy everyone on the Lions, including special teams, in the 34-17 victory in the traditional Thanksgiving game at Ford Field.

“In reality, the game was was not as close as the 17-point margin would seem to indicate. The Lions dominated the game after falling behind, 14-3, in the first 12 minutes of the game. 

“In terms of what the outcome eventually could mean in the NFC playoff race, it could be as important as any game the Lions play this year. 

“It ended a two-game losing streak and made their won-loss record 8-4. And with the next two games at home against the the Bucs and Vikings, the Lions are in position to pad their record and get to the 10-win plateau.”

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