Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions Box Score on Dec 11, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Dec 11, 2016

DETROIT -- Matthew Stafford's first rushing touchdown of the season completed the Detroit Lions' eighth fourth-quarter comeback victory as they edged the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday at Ford Field.

Stafford's 7-yard run with 3:17 left moved the Lions (9-4) closer to their first division title in 23 years. They led the NFC North by two games over Green Bay and Minnesota entering the game.

Stafford completed 21 of 35 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off for a Bears touchdown. He who wore a protective glove on his throwing hand after injuring a finger late in the first quarter.

Golden Tate caught six passes for 58 yards and Anquan Boldin caught three passes, including a touchdown, for Detroit. The Lions defense held the opponent to 20 points or less for the seventh straight game.

Rookie Cre'Von LeBlanc scored on a 24-yard interception return, the first takeaway of his career. Matt Barkley completed 20 of 32 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown for Chicago (3-10). Jordan Howard rushed for 86 yards on 13 carries but the Bears committed 11 penalties for 139 yards.

Matt Prater's 54-yard field goal with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter gave Detroit a 13-3 advantage.

Cameron Meredith's 31-yard touchdown catch later in the quarter, after he got a step on cornerback Darius Slay, pulled the Bears within three points. Howard's 31-yard run put Chicago in Lions territory.

The Lions seemed poise to stretch their lead early in the fourth. But Stafford's pass to the end zone was deflected by cornerback Bryce Callahan off Tate's facemask and into the hands of safety Demontre Hurst.

After Detroit forced a punt, Stafford made a poor decision as LeBlanc jumped in front of Boldin and scampered 24 yards to put Chicago up 17-13 with 7:07 remaining.

Stafford then made up for his mistake by scrambling seven yards for a touchdown. He avoided a sack, then eluded a couple of tackles attempts on his rumble up the middle. That 76-yard drive was aided by two Bears penalties.

A pair of holding penalties stalled the Bears' final possession.

The Lions emerged from the first half with a 10-3 lead.

Howard had a 28-yard run on the Bears' opening possession. Chicago eventually reached the Detroit 10-yard-line but had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Connor Barth after a couple of penalties.

Stafford's 48-yard pass to Marvin Jones set up Matt Prater's 29-yard field goal with 4:17 left in the half.

Boldin's seventh touchdown reception of the season with 19 seconds left put Detroit on top. A 38-yard pass interference call against Bears cornerback Tracy Porter facilitated that scoring drive.

NOTES: The Lions played without two of their key offensive players. Top RB Theo Riddick sat out with wrist and ankle injuries, while C Travis Swanson missed the game with a concussion. ... Chicago wide receiving corps, already down top threat Alshon Jeffery because of a league suspension, was missing Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (groin). T Mike Adams (back) and CB Johnthan Banks (ankle). ... Chicago has now lost 10 or more games for the third consecutive season. ... The Lions face the top teams in the NFC East, the New York Giants and Dallas, on the road the next two weeks. Chicago hosts Green Bay next Sunday. ... The Lions have now defeated the Bears seven of the last eight meetings, including four straight at home. Chicago's last victory at Ford Field was a 26-24 squeaker on Dec. 30, 2012.