Bates Drops the Hammer at the Buzzer — Lions Shock Bears 19–16
Detroit ended a roller-coaster season with a dramatic exclamation point, edging NFC North champion Chicago 19–16 on a last-second field goal that silenced the Bears and sent the Lions into the offseason with momentum. What began as a commanding performance nearly slipped away, but one poised final drive restored Detroit’s control when it mattered most.
The Lions dominated the early flow, blanking Chicago in the first half and carrying a 13–0 lead into the break. Detroit continued to dictate terms into the fourth quarter, stretching the margin to 16–0 and appearing in full control. Then the game flipped. Chicago surged back with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, each followed by a successful two-point conversion, erasing the deficit and tying the score at 16 amid a sudden shift in energy.
With just over five minutes left, Detroit squandered a promising possession, giving the Bears a chance to seize the moment. The Lions’ defense held firm, forcing a punt and giving the offense one final opportunity. Quarterback Jared Goff responded calmly, guiding a sharp closing drive that set up Jake Bates for a 42-yard field goal. As the clock expired, Bates’ kick sailed through, sealing the win and pushing Detroit to a winning record.
Goff bounced back from a difficult prior week, finishing 27 of 42 for 331 yards with a touchdown and an interception while leading five scoring drives. Amon-Ra St. Brown anchored the passing attack with 11 receptions for 139 yards, and Jahmyr Gibbs contributed 80 rushing yards along with a receiving score. Defensively, Avonte Maddox delivered a key moment with a third-quarter interception in the end zone to halt a Chicago threat.
For the Bears, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 212 yards and two late touchdowns, setting a new franchise single-season passing record. Chicago still closed the regular season at 11–6 and locked up the NFC’s No. 2 seed, earning a home wild-card matchup with Green Bay. Detroit, meanwhile, exits an uneven year encouraged by a gritty, season-ending victory.
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