Detroit improves to 13-2 with win in Chicago

The Lions have been devastated by injuries, but they’re not giving up their Super Bowl aspirations without a fight.

They showed that today in Chicago, beating the Bears 34-17 despite playing with a starting lineup full of players who started the season as backups — or not even on the team at all.

Despite the longest list of injuries in the league, the Lions never had any trouble against the Bears. Detroit jumped out to a 3-0 lead on its first possession, made it 13-0 before the first quarter was over, and led by double digits the rest of the way.

Jared Goff was excellent for the Lions, completing 234 of 32 passes for 336 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs had 23 carries for 109 yards while handling full-time running back duties with David Montgomery injured. And Jameson Williams caught five passes for 143 yards, including a spectacular 82-yard touchdown.

The 4-11 Bears are in the midst of a miserable season, and although rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is showing flashes of developing into a franchise quarterback, he’s not there yet.

But the 13-2 Lions remain atop the NFC, and they’re two wins away from earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and a clear path to the Super Bowl.