Bears Struggles Continue in Loss to Lions in Week 16

Following an atrocious loss to the Vikings last week, the Bears fell short to the Lions at home 34-17. Detroit didn’t take their loss last week to the Bills for granted as they got back to doing what they do best, dominating the field. The Lions had a huge lead the whole game with no intention of cutting it close or letting it go. Here are some key takeaways from the Bears’ loss to the Lions. 

Have Yourself a Day, Keenan Allen

If there is anyone who deserves the name “Lion Killer,” it’s Keenan Allen. There is something about facing the Lions that turns Allen into an unstoppable force on the field. On Thanksgiving, he totaled five catches, 73 yards, and two touchdowns, while earlier today, he totaled nine catches, 141 yards, and a touchdown. Even during his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers, he combined 34 catches, 439 yards, and two touchdowns across three games played against the Lions. He may not be as athletic as he used to be, but he’s still an elite route runner who’s capable of getting open against some of the best defensive backs in the NFL. 

Caleb Williams Had One of His Biggest Passing Games of the Season

During the first half, Caleb Williams set an NFL rookie record with 301 consecutive passes without an interception. Then, right before halftime, Williams threw a 45-yard pass to Keenan Allen that resulted in a touchdown. He was hitting his spots consistently when he needed to on third down and on fourth down, which was quite impressive today. He ended up throwing 26-for-40 with 334 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, it was a solid day for the number one overall pick.

The Lions Were Playing a Completely Different Game

It was pretty clear who the better team was when you look at both their records, but it wasn’t just that. The Lions were running a lot of unorthodox and trick plays during this matchup. In the first half, Jared Goff threw an 82-yard bomb to Jameson Williams that resulted in a touchdown for the Lions. Not only did that play prove Jameson Williams has a huge skill set, but also that Jared Goff has a massive arm. Later in the third quarter, at the Bears’ 21-yard line, Goff took the snap from under center and ducked down like fumbled and Jahmyr Gibbs rolled on the ground. Goff pulled back up and threw an over-the-shoulder ball to Sam LaPorta for the touchdown. It was basically a fake fumble play that looked broken but only proved that the Lions are a very savvy team under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.