Since the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions first met in 1930, Chicago has won 104-77-5 overall. The Bears will meet the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
However, the Lions had emerged victorious from the previous two meetings between the teams, claiming a thrilling 31-30 victory on the road in November of last year and a commanding 41-10 victory at home in January.
And on Sunday, the Lions defeated the Bears 31-26 to improve to 8-2 on the season, despite the Bears taking a 26-16 lead with 4:20 remaining on a field goal by Cairo Santos. The Lions also scored two touchdowns (as well as one two-point conversion) and a game-winning safety.
Along the way, franchise legend Barry Sanders offered some words of wisdom:How did this come about? After a touchback on the kickoff, the Lions recovered the ball on their 35-yard line with just over four minutes remaining.
With three minutes remaining, Jared Goff completed an eight-play, 75-yard drive in just 1:15 of a tick, which was capped off with a 32-yard pass to a wide-open Jameson Williams.
Then, instead of attempting an onside kick, Detroit decided to kick it deep and play defense, and it was advantageous for them. Following a fair catch on the kickoff,
the Bears gained possession of their 25, from whence Kalil Herbert ran twice for gains of zero and one yards, respectively. Then Justin Fields threw incomplete on third and nine.
Trenton Gill of Chicago punted as a result, but it went out of bounds at the Lions' 27.