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Detroit Lions fans worried about team after 28-13 loss to Chicago Bears: 'On fraud alert'

jared ramsey, detroit free press
·4 min read
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Concern is starting to build that the Detroit Lions are quickly trending in the wrong direction after delivering one of their worst performances of the season in the 28-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.

The Lions were outscored 18-0 in the second half after taking a 13-10 lead into halftime. The offense only managed to gain 71 total yards of offense in the second half while the defense struggled to contain Justin Fields and D.J. Moore. Detroit started the half with three straight three-and-outs, and the Bears scored a field goal and a long touchdown to Moore on fourth down in that same span to take the lead for good.

The Lions still couldn't do anything on offense after falling behind. Jared Goff fumbled a snap on the next drive, leading to a Fields rushing touchdown, then turned it over on downs deep in their own territory leading to a field goal and the 28-13 deficit.

Detroit Lions fan looks on during the second half in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 10, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.
Detroit Lions fan looks on during the second half in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 10, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.

GAME RECAP: Detroit Lions thumped by Chicago Bears, 28-13, in jarring performance

Fields had another great game against Detroit to lead Chicago to its first back-to-back wins under head coach Matt Eberflus. He completed 19 of 33 passes for 223 yards and added 58 yards rushing on 12 carries, his first game with less than 100 yards rushing against the Lions since 2021. Fields had run for 383 yards in his previous three games against the Lions.

Jared Goff had yet another underwhelming performance under center. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, his second straight game against the Bears with three turnovers, and struggled with the Bears' pass rush, which got home consistently against Detroit's banged-up offensive line. Goff finished 20-of-35 for 161 yards, with one touchdown and three giveaways. This is the third time in the last four weeks the Lions have lost in the turnover margin, and Goff has turned it over nine times in that span.

Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears celebrates a defensive stop during the fourth quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Dec. 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears celebrates a defensive stop during the fourth quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Dec. 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

WINDSOR: Detroit Lions beat themselves in worst outing of season, extending troubling trends

The overall concern amongst fans online is the Lions are moving in the wrong direction at the worst possible time of the season. This is the fourth straight week the Lions have had struggles, whether it is turnovers, a lack of defensive stops or a once-potent offense now struggling. The Lions are 2-2 in that stretch with narrow wins over the Bears and New Orleans Saints but struggled to hang with the Packers and Bears in the losses.

The Lions now hold a two-game lead in the NFC North over the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings and sit at 9-4. In addition to showing disappointment with the team falling flat on its face Sunday, fans are now also worried about the Lions' validity as the team that can win the franchise's first playoff game since the 1991 season.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions fans say team 'on fraud alert' after 28-13 loss to Bears