Man, what a ride. If you were looking for the score of today's Detroit Lions game on this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, you might’ve noticed things are a bit quiet at Ford Field. That’s because the Lions’ season actually wrapped up ten days ago in one of those heart-stopping, classic NFC North "slugfests" that left everyone in Detroit either screaming at their TV or hugging a stranger.
The final score was Detroit Lions 19, Chicago Bears 16.
It wasn't a playoff game—the Lions had already been mathematically eliminated after a rough Christmas Day loss to the Vikings—but tell that to Dan Campbell. Honestly, the way they played at Soldier Field, you’d have thought the Lombardi Trophy was sitting on the 50-yard line. They played for pride. They played to ruin Chicago's seeding. And they played to remind everyone that even in a "down" year where they finished 9-8, they aren't going anywhere.
How the Lions Stunned the Bears
The game was a tale of two halves, or really, a tale of three quarters and a total fourth-quarter meltdown followed by a miracle. Detroit came out swinging. By the end of the third quarter, the Lions held a 16-0 lead. Jake Bates was basically the MVP of the afternoon early on, knocking through three field goals while the defense turned Caleb Williams into a human pretzel.
Then the fourth quarter happened. It was ugly.
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Chicago suddenly remembered they were the division champs. Caleb Williams found Jahdae Walker for a 25-yard score, then hit Colston Loveland for a one-yarder. Two successful two-point conversions later, and just like that, it was 16-16 with five minutes left. The crowd in Chicago was deafening. You could almost feel the "here we go again" vibes radiating off the Detroit sideline.
Jared Goff and the Final Drive
With 1:41 left on the clock, Jared Goff took over at his own 37-yard line. This is where he usually earns his paycheck. He wasn't perfect on the day—finished 27 of 42 for 331 yards—but he was surgical when it mattered. He found Amon-Ra St. Brown (who had a massive 139-yard game) for a crucial 26-yard gain to get them into Bears territory.
- Goff to St. Brown: 26-yard completion to the Chicago 26.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: Two short runs to burn the clock and force Chicago timeouts.
- The Kick: Jake Bates, 42 yards out, as time expired.
The ball went through. The Lions won. 19-16.
Why This Score Matters Even Without a Playoff Berth
It’s easy to look at a 9-8 record and feel "meh." But context is everything in the NFL. The Lions were 8-8 going into that final week, coming off a brutal three-game losing streak against the Rams, Steelers, and Vikings. They could have folded. Instead, they went into the home of the NFC North champions and took their lunch money.
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Jahmyr Gibbs was a monster. He put up 113 total yards and caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter. If you're a fantasy manager, you've probably been riding his production all year, but seeing it in person—the way he hits the hole and just disappears—is different.
The defense also stepped up. Aidan Hutchinson tied the franchise record for second-most sacks in a single season with 14.5. He spent more time in the Chicago backfield than Caleb Williams did. Even with the late-game surge from the Bears, the Lions' defense held them to zero points through the first 45 minutes. That’s elite, regardless of who you’re playing.
Real Talk: The 2025-26 Season Stats
Looking back at the full campaign, Detroit was the definition of "unpredictable." They blew out the Bears 52-21 in Week 2, then lost to the Packers and Vikings in heartbreakers. They beat the Cowboys in a 44-30 shootout. They lost a 9-16 defensive struggle to the Eagles.
- Overall Record: 9-8
- Division Standing: 4th in NFC North (it was a brutal division this year)
- Offense Rank: Top 5 in total yards
- Defense Rank: 18th overall (the Achilles' heel)
What Happens Now?
Since there is no game today, January 14, the focus has shifted entirely to the offseason. The Lions are officially in "evaluation mode." Brad Holmes has a few big questions to answer, specifically regarding the secondary and how to get more consistent pressure when Hutchinson is being double-teamed.
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The players are already heading into their exit interviews. Amon-Ra St. Brown was seen giving Dan Campbell a massive endorsement after the Week 18 win, basically saying the locker room is still 100% behind the coaching staff. That matters. Culture isn't just a buzzword in Detroit; it's the only reason they didn't spiral after that late-December slump.
Next Steps for Lions Fans
If you're missing the action today, here is how you should be spending your Wednesday:
- Watch the Playoffs: Keep an eye on the Bears and Packers. Since the Lions played them so close, their performance in the postseason is a good litmus test for how far Detroit actually is from the top.
- Draft Order Prep: Start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft projections. The Lions will likely be picking in the middle of the first round.
- Roster Watch: Keep an eye on the injury reports for guys like Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch as they head into the recovery phase of the year.
The score of today's Detroit Lions game might be "0-0" because they aren't on the field, but the victory in Chicago ten days ago ensures they enter the spring with a lot of momentum. They ended the year on a high note, and in Detroit, that's often the start of something much bigger.