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CHICAGO – The Detroit Lions ended their disappointing 2025 season on the best possible note, beating Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears, 19-16, on Sunday, Jan. 4 in Week 18.
Despite the Bears winning the NFC North and the Lions missing the playoffs, Detroit beat its former offensive coordinator twice this season after he went across Lake Michigan and led their divisional rival to an impressive turnaround.
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Knocking the Bears down a seed in the NFC playoffs and maintaining control in the rivalry will at least slightly soften the blow of an otherwise disheartening season.
Although the Lions were missing some big names, including star right tackle Penei Sewell, it was clear from the jump that Dan Campbell's squad was not going to lollygag through their first game without playoff implications in years.
The Lions scored on their first three drives of the game (two field goals and then a touchdown from Jahmyr Gibbs) and Jake Bates missed a 53-yard field goal right before the end of the half that could've made it four straight scores.
After a punt to start the second half, the Lions put together another impressive 11-play, 74-yard drive, but stalled again in the red zone, as Bates hit a 25-yard field goal.
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All the while, the Lions' defense stood strong with one of its most impressive showings of the year. After being a heavy man-to-man defense for the whole season and pretty much the entire time under Campbell, the Lions pivoted to a heavy zone scheme and it worked.
The Lions frustrated Bears quarterback Caleb Williams most of the afternoon, as Chicago didn't get its first score until the fourth quarter, but that score did flip the momentum.
The Bears got the two-point conversion after a 25-yard touchdown pass from Williams, then forced a Lions punt, scored again and got the two-point conversion to tie the game, 16-16.
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In the end, it was the Lions who showed a lot of heart and found a way to win, stopping Williams and the Bears and driving down the field for a game-winning kick from Bates.
Even with the win, the Lions will play a fourth-place schedule in 2026 and have their highest pick since the 2023 NFL Draft thanks to a Minnesota Vikings victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
This story will be updated.
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Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions game score in Week 18 win vs Chicago Bears
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