CHICAGO – For the second consecutive week, the Lions fell behind 10-0 early in games they were favored to win.
Two weeks ago, vs. the winless Cleveland Browns, the Lions were able to battle their way back and ultimately win the contest 38-24. Sunday in Chicago, it was a bit of Déjà vu, as the Lions again fought their way back from an early deficit to escape with a 27-24 win that now sets up a monster matchup in just four days against the NFC North-leading Vikings (8-2) on Thanksgiving.
The victory improves the Lions' record to 6-4 on the year and a perfect 3-0 in the division. All three wins in the division have come on the road.
A Matt Prater 52-yard field goal with 1:35 left in the game proved to be the difference. It was his second field goal of the game. Chicago kicker Connor Barth missed a 46-yard field goal try with eight seconds left to preserve the win.
Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes to Marvin Jones Jr. (28 yards) and Ameer Abdullah (2 yards), and DJ Hayden returned a fumble 28 yards for the first Lions touchdown to account for the other Lions' scoring.
Stafford's second quarter: After completing just 4 of 6 passes for 42 yards with no touchdowns, a fumble and a passer rating of 86.8, Stafford was lights out in the second quarter.
Stafford completed nine of his 11 pass attempts in the second quarter for 153 yards and two scores for a perfect passer rating of 158.3. The Lions trailed 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. They led 21-17 at halftime.
QB Comparison: Stafford finished the game 21-of-31 passing for 299 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 120.2.
Mitchell Trubisky completed 18 of his 30 passes for 179 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 88.1.
Another return touchdown: Cornerback DJ Hayden scored Detroit's NFL-leading fifth touchdown on defense this year with a 28-yard fumble return in the second quarter. The score trimmed the Bears' lead to 10-7.
It was Detroit's seventh return touchdown on the year, including Jamal Agnew's two punt return touchdowns.
Key stat(s): The Bears rushed for 222 yards in the game. It marks the second consecutive week the Lions have allowed more than 200 rushing yards on defense (201 to Cleveland last week). The Lions won both games.
