The Detroit Lions needed Jared Goff to lead the offense down the field twice at the end of the fourth quarter to rally against the Chicago Bears. The Lions trailed 26-14 with 4:15 left in the game after Bears kicker Cairo Santos made his fourth field goal of the game.
The Lions survived Goff throwing three interceptions as the defense stepped up by only allowing three total points on the Bears’ drives after the turnovers. This kept the game within reach and gave Goff a chance to lead a comeback.
Rare Interceptions by Jared Goff
Goff’s three interceptions are the most he’s thrown in a game since arriving in Detroit for the 2021 campaign. He had only two games with two interceptions with the Lions and only five in nine games this season.
Goff had a streak of 383 passes without an interception that stretched from Week 9 last season to Week 2 this season. He was 19 pass attempts away from tying Aaron Rodgers for the all-time record.
The reduction in interceptions is a significant change for Goff, who was selected with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He had three seasons with at least 12 interceptions with the Rams.
Goff Leads Lions Back
The Lions got the ball back down 12 with 4:15 left in the game when Goff led a quick six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in 76 seconds. Running back David Montgomery started the drive with a four-yard run, and then Goff took over. He completed five straight passes for 71 yards and connected with Jameson Williams on a 32-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to five with 2:59 left.
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After the Bears went three and out, Goff got the ball back at the Lions 23 with 2:33 left. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 44 yards as the Lions got inside the Bears 10. Montgomery scored the go-ahead touchdown on a one-yard rush to give the Lions the lead. Goff found tight end Sam LaPorta on the two-point conversion to extend the lead to three.
Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson sacked Bears quarterback Justin Fields and forced a fumble that led to a safety that clinched the game for Detroit. Goff finished the game by completing 23 of 35 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
What’s Ahead for Detroit?
The Lions head to Thanksgiving leading the NFC North with an 8-2 record. The Minnesota Vikings are in second place in the division and take a 6-4 record into the Sunday night game against the Denver Broncos.
Dan Campbell’s squad is in a good position to make the playoffs and win the division, but there is still work to be done. Detroit will host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday afternoon before a two-game road trip against the New Orleans Saints and Chicago.
The Lions will host the Broncos in Week 15 before heading out on another two-game road trip against Minnesota and the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit hosts the Vikings in Week 18 in a game that could determine the NFC North winner.
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