What They’re Saying: Lions Are Marquee NFL Team
Here's a look at the national reaction to the Detroit Lions' 31-26 comeback win over the Chicago Bears.
"Remember when people used to complain that the Lions play every Thanksgiving? That won't be the case this week, with Detroit kicking off Thursday’s tripleheader by welcoming the Packers to Ford Field, and doing so—surprise, surprise—as the team squarely on the marquee.
And the team will do it coming off a game that served as another sign that, as we’ve said the past few weeks, this Cinderella story of 2022, the team that surged late, has become a powerhouse in ’23.
These Lions had already administered impressive beatdowns of teams like the Panthers and Buccaneers. They’d beaten the champion Chiefs on opening night, won a shootout with Justin Herbert and bounced back after their one no-show of the season, in Baltimore. Along those lines, Week 11 checked another box. The Lions didn’t have their A game with the Bears in town—but it didn’t matter because they could summon what they needed."
"The Lions have been favored all season to win their first divisional crown since 1993, and while that goal seemed vulnerable at times Sunday with four turnovers, the Lions found a way to win. They still have four divisional games, including one vs. the Packers, two against the Vikings and one more against Chicago. The Lions' path won't be easy if they don't clean it up on both sides of the ball going forward. Still, Detroit is the only team this season to win after trailing by at least 10 with 4 minutes remaining. Teams were 0-83 before Sunday."
"It was one of those games for the Lions when just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong, yet they still found a way to win. That’s the type of performance that should build the Lions’ confidence, not erode it. Goff and the offense stepped up when necessary, and the defense also came through with a strip-sack/safety from Aidan Hutchinson. And ball security shouldn’t be an issue for Goff moving forward. As Ted said, two of his interceptions were a little fluky. Goff is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season."
"He didn't play well, but he did enough at the end to lead the Detroit Lions to a win. That's all anyone will remember from Sunday's game.
Goff threw three interceptions and it looked like the Lions would blow a home game to the Chicago Bears. But the Lions scored late, Justin Fields barely missed a deep third-down pass that would have put the game away and Goff led a game-winning drive in the final minute. The Lions added on a safety and won 31-26. Their chances of getting the No. 1 seed in the NFC are still alive, whereas a loss to the Bears would probably have ruined that dream.
It says something about the 2023 Lions that they can overcome a three-interception game from their quarterback. Goff will have to play better, but he played well enough in the fourth quarter to avoid a lot of criticism."
"The Lions trailed by 12 points with 4:15 left in a sloppy game that saw Jared Goff throw three interceptions. The ground game had been stymied, too, and nothing was going right for the NFC North leaders. Then Dan Campbell's crew hit the gas pedal at Ford Field. Goff dropped a perfect deep shot to Jameson Williams for a 32-yard touchdown, capping a scoring drive that took only 1:16 off the game clock. Detroit's D forced a quick three-and-out, and the Lions got the ball back down five points. Goff then led a masterful drive, hitting quick strikes, evading pressure, and steering the Lions to the doorstep of victory. Apropos, former Bears running back David Montgomery gave Detroit the lead with a 1-yard TD plunge with 29 seconds remaining. On a day when Detroit turned the ball over four times and rarely looked in sync, it was the type of gritty, turn-a-loss-into-a-win game that championship clubs need once or twice a year. These aren't your Same Old Lions."
"The Lions, who have never won the NFC North crown nor ever hosted a playoff game at Ford Field, are 8-2 to start a season for the first time since 1962. This is the first time since 1969 that both Detroit and Cleveland are at least 7-3 or better to launch a season – and the futility is much more acute in those proud cities given their franchises each won four league championships prior to the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, all of those titles also obviously predating the Super Bowl era, which began in 1966."
