2024 Week 13: Bears 20, Lions 23

Another extremely entertaining game of football, Detroit was up 16-0 at halftime and the Bears came roaring back and nearly pulled off the upset. Chicago got bailed out multiple times on their last drive be it penalties or dropped INTs by Detroit's defenders… but then some terrible clock management and Chicago ran one play as time expired with a timeout in hand. To no surprise, HC Matt Eferblus was promptly fired. Eberflus has been a very successful and well-respected defensive mind, I wonder what effect this change will have on Chicago’s elite defense.

The Lions (11-1) are winners of 10 straight games, but against the better teams they struggle… they have sustained too many injuries on defense. This is still a great team, one of the best in the league, but the Eagles have usurped their title as NFC favorite in my eyes.

Chicago (4-8) is a mess, they fired their OC a few weeks ago, HC this week, and GM Ryan Poles is likely out the door soon as well. Chicago may reach 6 wins but it’ll be a stretch given their tough schedule ahead.

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QB Report:
- Despite the semi-pretty stat line I don’t think Caleb Williams (20/39 for 256 yards, 3 TDs; 4 rushes for 39 yards) looked all that different. He had 13 yards at the end of the first half, and then in the second half, things just went their way. Dropped INTs, passes were squeezing through tight windows, the screen passes they love to run started to break for bigger gains. Just like that Caleb is ‘fixed’ for 4th time this year.

- I do have to give Caleb some props though, he has been running the ball pretty well, we all knew he had that ability and it’s starting to translate into the NFL as he gets more comfortable. Where he hasn’t been able to improve is with his passing… in the pocket, he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.

WR Report:
- Keenan Allen (5-73-2/8) had a huge game that was buoyed by 2 touchdown catches. This was the first week any of the Bears receivers were able to have back-to-back quality weeks. Keenan Allen is Caleb’s most trusted weapon which I didn’t predict… I thought it would be the less-structured DJ Moore (8-97-1/16).

- Moore also had a nice game and accumulated a massive 16 targets in this game. If the Bears offense continues the way it is then Moore and Allen will continue to have great second halves.

image source: (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)