Why Didn't the Lions Throw a Hail Mary?

The score was 7-6 after the Chicago Bears took their first lead Sunday against the Lions.

Mitchell Trubisky threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Braunecker.

On the following offensive possession, the Lions had 18 seconds to work with.

They started the drive on their own 30-yard line.

Following a three-yard run by J.D. McKissic, the Lions took their third and final timeout.

The next play saw backup quarterback Jeff Driskel scramble for 11 yards, advancing the ball to the Lions' 44-yard line.

Most felt that the Lions had at least an opportunity to attempt a Hail Mary. But that was not the case.

Instead, McKissic rushed the football to end the first half.

Detroit head man Matt Patricia was asked Monday about the decision not to attempt the Hail Mary at that spot in the game.

“(At) the end of the first half, we were certainly trying to get actually, by the clock, into field goal range, first with (Matt) Prater," Patricia said. "Obviously, which again, he made a heck of a kick yesterday, (a) 54-yarder in that stadium with that wind and stuff. That’s really great for him."

He added, "We were trying to get into that situation. And I think, at the very end of it, when we were looking at the situation as far as trying to throw one up, protection was probably our No. 1 concern. Then also, just kind of the wind and the particular play that we had dialed up there, we just didn’t feel it was the right situation.”