Sunday, January 4, 2026

Post Game Lions Links for Sunday 1-4-26

Articles:

RECAP: Lions at Bears:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/recap-lions-at-bears-bates-goff-stbrown-gibbs











Five reasons the Lions wrapped up the season with a 19-16 win at Chicago:  https://lionslowdown.com/2026/01/05/five-reasons-the-lions-wrapped-up-the-season-with-a-19-16-win-at-chicago/


Lions topple Bears 19-16 to end disappointing season with winning record:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/lions-topple-bears-end-disappointing-season-winning-record

NFL Week 18 Recap: Detroit Lions 19, Chicago Bears 16:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-18-recap-detroit-lions-19-chicago-bears-16-2026

NFL Week 18 takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday's 14 games (Kevin Patra's takeaways:  1. Bears' comeback bid falls short, but secured No. 2 seed. Chicago wiped out a 16-0 fourth-quarter deficit to tie the contest, but couldn’t get Detroit off the field, losing at the buzzer on a Jake Bates field goal. However, with Philadelphia losing to Washington, Ben Johnson’s club still secured the No. 2 seed and will host Green Bay in the Wild Card round. A sleepy start got the Bears behind the eight-ball. The defense allowed Detroit to walk up-and-down the field, giving up 433 yards, but broke only once, holding the Lions to early red zone field goals to keep things close. Chicago got the ball back late, but a three-and-out and a Jared Goff 26-yard strike to Amon-Ra St. Brown set up Detroit’s win. Heading into the postseason, the Bears' defense needs to plug the leaks, but at least they’ll have potentially multiple home games to get it done.  2. Lions avoid losing season. Dan Campbell’s club snapped a three-game losing skid and finished out a disappointing campaign 9-8, Detroit’s fourth straight season over .500. Jared Goff diced up the Bears' secondary, peppering short throws to runners in stride for YAC. Goff completed 27 of 42 pass attempts for 331 yards with a touchdown and an INT. The Lions repeatedly moved the chains with St. Brown finding open grass. The Pro Bowl receiver went for 11 catches and 139 yards, virtually unguardable for Chicago. As much of their season has gone, there were self-induced miscues and ill-timed mishaps. Stubbed toes in the red zone and a late Goff interception opened the door for a potential Bears comeback. However, in a meaningless game, the Lions battled and showed how potent their offense can be when everything is clicking. Unfortunately for Detroit, it didn’t happen enough in 2025.  3.  Williams, Bears can’t overcome slow start. Chicago generated just four first-half first downs and were outgained 237-69 through two quarters. A Caleb Williams third-quarter interception led to a goose egg on the scoreboard through three quarters. Trialing 16-0 in the fourth quarter, Williams heated up, tossing lasers and repeatedly finding open targets to spearhead the comeback. The QB found Colston Loveland for pivotal chain-moving plays and calmly hit the TE for the game-tying TD. Following a Kevin Byard INT, it felt like another fourth-quarter comeback was in the bag for Chicago, but an intentional grounding penalty doomed a three-and-out drive. The Bears never saw the ball again. Despite the loss, Williams again showed he’s unflappable when trailing, able to make plays on the move and mostly avoid negatives. To succeed in January, however, the Bears need to smooth out their play and avoid early-game lulls against hardened opponents.  Next Gen Stats Insight for Lions-Bears (via NFL Pro): Jared Goff went 9 of 12 for 120 yards with a TD and an INT versus pressure for a +23.8 completion percentage over expected rate. NFL Research: With 212 passing yards, Caleb Williams generated 3,942 passing yards on the season, passing Eric Kramer (3,838) for most in Bears franchise history.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-18-takeaways-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-14-games

Offseason guide for eliminated NFL teams: Key free agents, draft outlook, priorities and predictions (Detroit Lions - 2025 record: 9-8.  Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$23.1 million.  What is their top offseason priority? Improve the offensive line. Detroit ranked 20th in run block win rate (70.7%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.2%). The unit struggled to adapt with the offseason departures of four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, who abruptly retired in June, and veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Titans.  What is one secondary priority to watch? Add another edge rusher. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson earned Pro Bowl honors for the second time after a career-best 14.5 sacks. However, Detroit needs another reliable option opposite of Hutchinson -- a player who can bring depth and better consistency. -- Eric Woodyard.  Latest on whether they will re-sign linebacker Alex Anzalone: Anzalone has been a fixture for the Lions in the Dan Campbell era, and his game is more respected in league circles than in fan or media circles. The early feedback: Anzalone's return is a 50/50 proposition. Detroit wants him back, but he'll have interest from other teams. -- Fowler.  Early draft outlook: The Lions' first-round pick should be used on defense, where the team has needs at edge rusher, cornerback and linebacker. They could take the first cornerback off the board with Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) or Mansoor Delane (LSU). They could also consider linebackers Sonny Styles (Ohio State) and CJ Allen (Georgia). -- Miller.  Big prediction for the offseason: The Lions will cut left tackle Taylor Decker if he does not retire. He will be 33 years old next season and has had issues with shoulder injuries. Through Week 17 in 2025, he fell to 43rd out of 70 ranked tackles in pass block win rate, and he ranks 61st in run block win rate. -- Schatz):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47454831/2026-nfl-offseason-guide-every-team-priorities-free-agents-draft-predictions


Lions vs. Bears Live Score, Updates: Detroit, Chicago in Close Battle:  https://www.foxsports.com/live-blog/nfl/lions-vs-bears-live-score-updates



Lions beat playoff-bound Bears 19-16 on Bates’ 42-yard field goal as time expires:  https://apnews.com/article/lions-bears-score-d78dc35d81b1af25f82ee754c399d4ae

Video:







Jahmyr Gibbs' best plays in 113-yard game vs. Bears | Week 18:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-best-plays-in-113-yard-game-vs-bears-week-18

Amon-Ra St. Brown's best plays from 139-yard game vs. Bears | Week 18:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/amon-ra-st-brown-s-best-plays-from-139-yard-game-vs-bears-week-18

Jake Bates sends Lions home a winner on 42-yard FG over Bears in season finale:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-bates-hits-42-yard-walk-off-field-goal


Jake Bates' third FG of game give Lions 16-0 lead over Bears:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jake-bates-third-fg-of-game-give-lions-16-0-lead-over-bears

Jake Bates' 30-yard FG gives Lions three points following 16-play drive vs. Bears:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jake-bates-30-yard-fg-gives-lions-three-points-following-16-play-drive-vs-bears

Jake Bates' 34-yard FG gives Lions a 3-0 lead vs. Bears after one drive:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jake-bates-34-yard-fg-gives-lions-a-3-0-lead-vs-bears-after-one-drive

Amon-Ra St. Brown puts Lions in field goal range with 26-yard gain:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/amon-ra-st-brown-puts-lions-in-field-goal-range-with-26-yard-gain

Kalif Raymond finds opening in middle of field for 24-yard gain from Jared Goff:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/kalif-raymond-finds-opening-in-middle-of-field-for-24-yard-gain-from-jared-goff

Jahmyr Gibbs has strong run up middle for 14 yards:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-has-strong-run-up-middle-for-14-yards

Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown connect for 30-yard gain to move chains on third down:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-amon-ra-st-brown-connect-for-30-yard-gain-to-move-chains-on-third-down

Jared Goff's 18-yard completion to TeSlaa gets Lions into Bears' territory:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-s-18-yard-completion-to-teslaa-gets-lions-into-bears-territory

Caleb Williams uncorks deep-ball INT to Avonte Maddox inside the end zone:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-maddox-picks-off-williams-deep-ball

Aidan Hutchinson sacks Caleb Williams to reach 14.5 sacks on 2025 season:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-hutchinson-takes-down-williams-for-sack



Posted by LionsFan at 9:21 PM

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