What Was the Score of the Detroit Lions Game? Why the Week 18 Win Still Feels Bitter

If you're frantically checking your phone to see what was the score of the Detroit Lions game, the short answer is 19-16. Detroit took down the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 4, 2026.

It was a weird one.

Jake Bates nailed a 42-yard field goal as the clock hit zero. The kick was perfect. The celebration was... well, it was a mix of relief and "what if." While the Lions walked off the field with a win, the reality is that their season ended right there in Chicago. No playoffs. No deep run. Just a 9-8 record and a lot of questions for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes to answer this offseason.

Honestly, the score doesn't tell the whole story of how this game actually felt for anyone watching.

The Wild Score of the Detroit Lions Game Explained

Detroit dominated for three quarters. It looked like a blowout. They were up 16-0, and the Bears looked like they had already started their vacation. Jared Goff was sharp, eventually finishing with 331 passing yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown was doing Amon-Ra things, hauling in 11 catches for 139 yards.

Then, the fourth quarter happened.

💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round

Caleb Williams, who has been a thorn in the side of the NFC North all year, decided to wake up. He threw two touchdowns in the final frame. The Bears even went for two—twice—and converted both. Suddenly, that 16-0 lead evaporated into a 16-16 tie.

You've seen this movie before if you're a Lions fan. It’s that familiar "here we go again" feeling that settles in the gut. But this time, the script flipped. Goff led a 39-yard drive in the final minute and a half, highlighted by a massive 26-yard strike to St. Brown that put them in field goal range. Bates did the rest.

Why a 19-16 Win Felt Like a Loss

Even though Detroit won, they finished fourth in the NFC North. That’s the brutal reality of the division in 2025-26. The Vikings swept them earlier in the year, which basically killed any tiebreaker hopes.

The standings ended like this:

• Chicago Bears: 11-6
• Green Bay Packers: 9-7-1
• Minnesota Vikings: 9-8
• Detroit Lions: 9-8

Wait, how is Detroit fourth if they have the same record as Minnesota? It comes down to those head-to-head matchups. The Vikings beat the Lions twice, including that ugly 23-10 loss on Christmas Day. That was the game that really broke the season.

📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared

Key Stats From the Finale

If you’re looking at the box score to understand what was the score of the Detroit Lions game and how they got there, look at the yardage. Detroit outgained Chicago 433 to 270. They controlled the ball for over 35 minutes. On paper, it should have been a 30-point victory.

Jahmyr Gibbs was a workhorse, totaling 113 yards from scrimmage. He caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that made everyone think Detroit was going to cruise. But the red zone was a disaster. The Lions had four trips inside the 20-yard line and only came away with one touchdown.

Jake Bates was the MVP by default. He went 4-for-5 on field goals. If he misses any of those, the Lions lose. It’s a testament to his leg, but also a massive red flag for an offense that struggled to finish drives when it mattered most.

The Caleb Williams Factor

We have to talk about the Bears for a second. Caleb Williams broke the Bears' single-season passing record during this game, passing Erik Kramer’s 1995 mark. Even though the Lions won the battle, the Bears won the war by clinching the division weeks ago.

Watching Williams lead that comeback was a reminder that the NFC North is only getting tougher. The Lions' defense, which looked elite early in the season, showed some serious cracks in the secondary during that fourth quarter.

👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues

What Happens Now for Detroit?

The season is over. No Wild Card weekend. No trip to the Super Bowl.

General Manager Brad Holmes already has his work cut out for him. There’s already talk about whether the team will trade David Montgomery or look to get younger at certain positions. The 2026 opponents are already set because of that fourth-place finish.

Next year, Detroit will face:

1. All NFC North teams (Bears, Packers, Vikings) twice.
2. The NFC South (Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Bucs).
3. The AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets).
4. Specific fourth-place finishers like the Titans, Giants, and Cardinals.

It’s a "last place" schedule, which usually means it's easier, but in the NFL, that’s never a guarantee.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

The 2025-26 season might be in the books, but the work for next year starts immediately. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should be watching:

• Monitor the Mock Drafts: Since the Lions finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs, they’ll likely be picking in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on cornerback and edge rusher prospects.
• Track the Free Agency Buzz: The "legal tampering" period starts in March. The Lions need to address the secondary if they want to stop giving up 16-point leads in the fourth quarter.
• Review the 2026 Schedule: While the exact dates won't be out until May, the home and away opponents are locked. Start planning those road trips now—Buffalo and Miami are on the list for next year.
• Check the Coaching Carousel: Ben Johnson (Bears OC) and other divisional rivals might be targets for head coaching jobs elsewhere. Any change in the division’s coaching ranks helps Detroit’s chances next fall.

The score was 19-16. It was a win. But for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations in August, it’s going to be a long, cold winter in Michigan.