Lions bounce Bears to set up Week 18 showdown against rivals with playoff spot on the line

Jared Goff threw two of his three touchdown passes to Brock Wright in the first half, and the Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears 41-10 on Sunday to stay in playoff contention.

The Lions (8-8) won seven of nine to give themselves a shot at earning a playoff berth for the first time since 2016 ahead of their regular-season finale in Green Bay.

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The Bears (3-13) led by Justin Fields took two leads in the first quarter before collapsing and losing a franchise-record ninth straight game.

Goff completed passes to 10 teammates and an 11th, rookie receiver Jameson Williams, rushed 40 yards on a backhand early in the third quarter to set up Jamaal Williams’ 15th rushing score that gave Detroit a three-touchdown lead .

Jamaal Williams had a career-high 144 rushing yards on 22 carries and D’Andre Swift added 117 scrimmage yards and two scores.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Swift set the Lions up for good with a 17-yard touchdown early in the second quarter and her 21-yard reception put them ahead by four touchdowns in the third.

CARSON WENTZ OF COMMANDERS FACE BOOS AS HE THROWS TWO INTERCEPTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF

Goff was 21 of 29 for 255 yards and didn’t throw an interception for the eighth straight game.

Meanwhile, rookie pass thrower Aidan Hutchinson got the better of Fields, forcing two turnovers in the first half.

Fields started strong, going for 105 yards in the first quarter alone and throwing a 13-yard touchdown to Cole Kmet, before Hutchinson recovered his fumble and picked up his pass in the second quarter.

Fields finished with 132 rushing yards, giving him 1,143 on the year. With one game left at home against Minnesota, he has a chance to break the NFL single-season quarterback record of 1,206 yards set by Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in 2019 during his MVP season.

When Detroit ended Fields’ ability to run for the final three quarters, he was in trouble. Fields was 7 of 21 — completing a season low of 33.3% of his passes — for 75 yards.

Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift rushes for a 17-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

INJURIES

Bears: OG Michael Schofield III (knee) and OL Teven Jenkins (neck) were injured during the match while WR Dante Pettis and DB Jaylon Jones were assessed for concussions.

Lions: RB Justin Jackson (ribs) and S DeShon Elliott (shoulder) were inactive.

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FOLLOWING

Bears: End the season happily at home against Minnesota next Sunday.

Lions: Take on the Packers on the road next Sunday.