Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
The stated gameplan from the Lions all week was to not let Bears QB Justin Fields beat them with his legs. On that front, they failed. Fields ran for 147 yards on 13 carries, several of which were designed runs for the fleet-footed quarterback.
Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery each found success on the ground too. Overall the Bears ran 35 times for 258 yards and two TDs. The Lions defense didn’t miss tackles as much as they missed tackling lanes, with the notable exception of Fields’ truly spectacular 1-yard TD scamper where he broke at least three tackles.
The pass defense was probably better than fans might remember. Two very notable blown coverages, both on touchdown passes to TE Cole Kmet, skew the results. Around those two terrible reps, the pass coverage was strong. Jeff Okudah earned my game ball for his pick-six as well as his consistently tight coverage.
Ends Aidan Hutchinson and Julian Okwara–in his most extensive action of the season–did well in creating pressure on Fields and forcing tough throws. The linebacking corps missed injured rookie Malcolm Rodriguez but got a spirited effort from Alex Anzalone and nice early reps from Jarrad Davis, called up from the practice squad. The entire unit came up with a huge stop when the Lions needed it most, an important step for the maligned defense.
Grade: C
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