If you're asking who did Detroit Lions play last week, you likely caught the tail end of a season that felt more like a Shakespearean tragedy than a football schedule. The Lions wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on Sunday, January 4, 2026, facing off against their bitter division rivals, the Chicago Bears.
It wasn’t just a game. It was a weird, gritty, and ultimately bittersweet exorcism of a three-game losing streak.
The Lions walked into Soldier Field as underdogs and walked out with a 19-16 victory. But here's the kicker: despite the win, the Lions are officially heading to the couch for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bears, who they just beat, are prepping for a Wild Card showdown. If that doesn't sum up the "Same Old Lions" anxiety that still haunts Detroit, I don't know what does.
The Soldier Field Stunner: A Breakdown of the Action
Honestly, the game was a defensive slog for the first three quarters. If you like punts and field goals, you were in heaven. If you like high-octane Dan Campbell-style "kneecap biting" offense, you were probably checking your phone by halftime.
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Jake Bates, the Lions' kicker who has basically become a folk hero in Michigan, was the entire offense for most of the day. He nailed four field goals, including the 42-yard game-winner as time expired.
Key Performance Stats from Jan 4, 2026:
- Jared Goff: 27-of-42 for 331 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. He looked like the Pro Bowler he is, especially on that final drive.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 11 catches for 139 yards. The "Sun God" was basically the only person Goff trusted when the game was on the line.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 113 total yards and a touchdown. He’s the lightning to David Montgomery’s thunder, and he proved it again on the icy Chicago turf.
The Bears weren't exactly pushovers. Caleb Williams, their rookie sensation, actually broke the Bears' single-season passing record during this game, throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Chicago trailed 16-0 going into the fourth quarter before Williams sparked a furious comeback that tied the game at 16-16.
Then, Goff did what he does. He orchestrated a 39-yard drive in less than two minutes, highlighted by a clutch 26-yard strike to St. Brown, setting up Bates for the final dagger.
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Why the Victory Feels So Weird
Usually, a win over Chicago is cause for a parade down Woodward Avenue. But the context of this specific game is heavy. The Lions finished the season 9-8, placing them dead last in a surprisingly dominant NFC North.
Think about that. A winning record, and they’re fourth in the division.
The Lions were officially eliminated from playoff contention a week prior after a heartbreaking road loss to the Minnesota Vikings. So, while they played the Bears last week and won, they were essentially playing for pride and a better draft slot—though the win actually hurt their draft position slightly. It’s a classic Detroit conundrum.
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What Happened to the Hype?
At the start of the season, the Lions were Super Bowl favorites. Seriously. People were betting real money on a Lombardi Trophy coming to Detroit.
So, what went wrong?
- Injuries in the Secondary: The defensive backfield was a revolving door. D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin fought hard, but the depth just wasn't there.
- O-Line Regression: Usually the team's strength, the line struggled with consistency, often leaving Goff under fire.
- The NFC North Arms Race: The Bears (11-6), Packers (9-7-1), and Vikings (9-8) all stayed competitive. There were no "easy" weeks in the North this year.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Detroit?
Now that the season is over, the front office under Brad Holmes is already pivoting to 2026. The Lions' 2026 opponents are already set. Because they finished fourth in the division, they’ll face a "fourth-place schedule," which includes matchups against the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals.
Coach Dan Campbell didn't mince words after the Bears game. He told reporters that while the win "feels good to get back to who we are," the fact that they are missing the playoffs is "fuel" for the offseason.
Actionable Next Steps for Lions Fans:
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on whether Ben Johnson (Offensive Coordinator) finally takes a head coaching job elsewhere. His departure would be a massive blow to Goff’s rhythm.
- Free Agency Focus: The Lions need to shore up the defensive line depth. Aidan Hutchinson tied for second in the league with 14.5 sacks, but he needs more help on the interior to stop the run.
- Draft Strategy: With the season officially wrapped, expect the Lions to look heavily at secondary talent and perhaps a developmental offensive tackle in the first round.
The Lions played the Bears last week and proved they can still win tough games in the cold. Now, they just have to figure out how to do it consistently enough to stay in the hunt when January actually matters.