The Thanksgiving curse has finally been broken. In a hard-fought divisional battle, the Detroit Lions edged out the Chicago Bears, 23-20, extending their winning streak to 10 games and improving their record to an impressive 11-1.
While the Lions emerged victorious, the game was much closer than anyone expected. It was a tale of two halves, with the Lions dominating the first half before faltering in the second, and the Bears showing the opposite pattern. Throughout their winning streak, the Lions have typically found ways to compensate when one phase of their game struggles. However, today both the offense and defense faced challenges finding their rhythm.
Still, as the saying goes, a win is a win. In a league where victories are never easy, the Lions did just enough to secure this one.
Now, let’s dive into the Studs and Duds from the Lions’ Thanksgiving win over the Bears.
Stud: DJ Reader
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is sacked Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) in the fourth quarter on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.
With the defensive line decimated by injuries, the Lions needed their interior linemen to step up—and DJ Reader answered the call. Not only did he dominate the middle as usual, but he was also a disruptive force in the pass rush, recording two sacks and four total tackles. He consistently pressured the quarterback, causing chaos in the Colts’ backfield throughout the game.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that without Reader anchoring the defensive front, this game could have had a very different outcome. His performance was pivotal in keeping the Lions defense on track despite their injury woes.
Dud: Constant Injuries
Detroit Lions staff check on the injury of defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (91) during the first half against Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.
The injury bug continues to plague the Lions, showing no signs of letting up. Taylor Decker and Carlton Davis were both sidelined on the short week after sustaining injuries in the previous game. To make matters worse, Emmanuel Moseley tweaked something during warm-ups and was ruled out, further depleting an already thin secondary.
The situation didn’t improve during the game. Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal both exited due to injuries, and Malcolm Rodriguez suffered what appears to be a more serious issue. Adding to the chaos were the countless stoppages for players shaken up, making it feel like every other play saw a Lion on the ground. The Lions will undoubtedly hope for better news moving forward, but for now, the injury bug has hit this team hard.
Stud: Sam LaPorta
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) catches the ball for a touchdown in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
After a week where the Goff-LaPorta connection seemed completely out of sync, the duo found their rhythm once again. Statistically, it was a relatively quiet game for LaPorta, but he made his impact where it mattered most—catching both of the Lions’ touchdowns.
Seeing the second-year tight end find the end zone twice was a welcome sight, reigniting confidence in the offense and proving that the chemistry between him and Jared Goff is still alive and well.
Dud: Red zone offense
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), left, talks to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson before a play against Chicago Bears during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.
In the first half, the Lions appeared to be in control, moving the ball effectively—but their struggles in the red zone told a different story. They went just 1-for-4 on red zone opportunities, and you can’t help but think that capitalizing on those drives could have completely changed the game’s outcome.
This inefficiency kept the door open for the Bears, who managed to string together key drives and nearly staged a comeback. Credit is due to the Bears’ defense for stepping up in critical moments, but the Lions will undoubtedly view those missed chances as a major missed opportunity to put the game away before halftime.
Stud: Za’Darius Smith
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn hugs defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) after a play against Chicago Bears during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.
The acquisition of Za’Darius Smith has been paying major dividends for the Lions. Amid a relentless wave of injuries, Smith has provided a steady presence on the edge, and today, he delivered his best performance as a Lion. He recorded 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and a critical play late in the game that pushed the Bears out of field goal range, forcing them into a desperate fourth-down attempt.
Smith’s veteran leadership and strong edge presence have been invaluable for a team that’s had to rely on a constant rotation of players due to injuries. His impact extends beyond the stat sheet, as his consistency and leadership have brought much-needed stability to the Lions’ defense.