The Detroit Lions edged out a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 13, securing their third divisional win of the season and improving to 5-1 at home.
Despite the Thanksgiving triumph, the Lions didn’t perform at their peak.
The offense struggled in the red zone, settling for multiple field goals and scoring only seven second-half points, while the defense allowed several big plays from quarterback Caleb Williams.
Even so, Detroit continues to find ways to win, breaking two franchise records in the process. With an 11-1 record, the Lions are off to the best start in team history and have now tied their single-season franchise record of 10 consecutive wins, a mark first achieved in 1934—their inaugural season in Detroit.
The victory also marked their first Thanksgiving Day win since 2016, when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-13. The Lions, who have played on Thanksgiving every year since 1934 (except during World War II), made this holiday game especially memorable.
With six games remaining, the Lions have positioned themselves as strong contenders to win the NFC. They hold sole possession of first place in the NFC North and currently occupy the top seed in the conference.
However, the road ahead is challenging. Upcoming matchups include divisional battles with the Green Bay Packers (Week 14) and Minnesota Vikings (Week 18), as well as a potential Super Bowl preview against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.
Still, the Lions’ remarkable 2024 season has them among the favorites to claim the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans this February.