Detroit Lions Hold Off Chicago Bears with Walk-Off Field Goal in Season Finale
CHICAGO — The Detroit Lions traveled to Soldier Field as a broken and battered team, hoping to put together one last quality performance before the 2025 season officially came to an end. Before bidding farewell to the season, however, they reminded fans of the team they could’ve been.
The Lions controlled Sunday’s game against the playoff-bound Chicago Bears from the start, dominating on both sides of the ball for three quarters before holding off a furious comeback attempt. Kicker Jake Bates sealed the 19-16 victory with a 42-yard, walk-off field goal.
With the win, Detroit (9-8) secured their fourth consecutive winning season for the first time since 1969-72. After allowing Chicago (11-6) to storm back with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and 2-point conversions, the Lions mounted a potential game-winning drive in the final minutes.
Detroit advanced into Chicago territory with just over three minutes remaining. However, quarterback Jared Goff was flagged for intentional grounding on second-and-10 and then threw an interception when trying to force a ball into a tight window, seemingly opening the door for Chicago to take the lead. But a similar offensive penalty put the Bears in a third-and-long situation, giving the ball back to Detroit just after the two-minute warning.
With pride on the line and time running out, the Lions moved into Chicago territory thanks to a 26-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown. This set up Bates for the game-winning kick—his first and only walk-off of the season.
Key Player Performances
Goff finished 27-for-42 for 331 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. St. Brown racked up 139 receiving yards, including 110 in the first half, while wide receiver Jameson Williams added 74 yards on six catches. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs contributed 80 rushing yards on 19 carries.
The Lions moved the ball effectively but struggled in the red zone, going just 1-for-4. This allowed the Bears to stay in the game despite Detroit’s early dominance.
Game Summary
The Lions set the tone early. After their opening possession stalled on third-and-5 from the Chicago 16-yard line, Bates converted a 34-yard field goal to put Detroit up 3-0 with 8:35 left in the first quarter.
Detroit’s defense forced a quick stop on Chicago’s first drive, allowing the Lions to engineer another long drive that again stalled in the red zone. Bates added a 30-yard field goal to increase the lead to 6-0 with 11:28 remaining in the first half.
Following a Bears’ three-and-out, Detroit finally capitalized on a promising drive, covering 76 yards in nine plays. A 15-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs gave the Lions a 13-0 lead with 4:40 left in the half.
Late in the second quarter, Chicago threatened to score after converting a fourth-and-5 near midfield. However, Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes broke up a crucial fourth-down pass to force a turnover on downs with 30 seconds remaining. Detroit quickly marched back downfield, but Bates’ 53-yard field goal attempt missed wide left, keeping the score at 13-0 going into halftime.
Third Quarter and Late Comeback
The Bears made life difficult in the third quarter, converting a questionable fourth down due to a neutral-zone infraction penalty on Lions defensive tackle Roy Lopez. Despite Lopez’s movement before the snap, he did not appear to cross into the neutral zone, but the Bears took over with a new set of downs at Detroit’s 43-yard line.
Two plays later, Lions safety Avonte Maddox intercepted Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who was attempting a risky throw to the end zone. Detroit’s offense then settled for a third field goal, a 25-yarder by Bates, extending the lead to 16-0 with 2:11 left in the quarter.
Chicago finally got on the board early in the fourth quarter. Maddox bit on a short route, and cornerback Amik Robertson was beaten by wide receiver Jahdae Walker, who hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Williams. After a successful 2-point conversion run by Kyle Monangai, the Bears trimmed the deficit to 16-8 with 14:16 remaining.
The Lions gave the ball back after attempting to use running back David Montgomery as a passer on third down, only to be sacked and forced to punt. Chicago capitalized, tying the game at 16 with 5:25 left after Loveland finished a 12-play, 88-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown reception. Williams connected with tight end Cole Kmet on a 2-point conversion to knot the score.
Photo Gallery
Check out the photo gallery from the Lions’ season finale at the Bears.
Despite the late surge by Chicago, Detroit’s defense held strong in the closing minutes, setting the stage for Bates’ dramatic walk-off field goal and capping a resilient season.
