Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats (Dec 22, 2024)
Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions match player stats paint a clear picture of offensive efficiency meeting defensive opportunism. When these NFC North rivals clashed at Soldier Field on 22 December 2024, the scoreboard read 34-17 in Detroit’s favour, but the stat sheet tells the real story of how the Lions dominated through smart football and capitalising on Chicago’s costly mistakes.
Quick Stats Summary
Final Score: Lions 34, Bears 17
Total Yards: Lions 475, Bears 382
Turnovers: Lions 0, Bears 2
Third Down Efficiency: Lions 58.3%, Bears 20.0%
Key Performers: Goff (336 yards, 3 TDs), Williams (334 yards, 2 TDs)
Game-Changing Stat: Bears’ 2 fumbles led to 10 Lions points
Table of Contents
The Numbers That Mattered Most
Watching from the press box at Soldier Field, this matchup showcased why football games are won in the margins. Detroit outgained Chicago by just 93 total yards (475-382), but the way they accumulated and converted those yards made all the difference.
The third-down disparity jumps off the stat sheet:
- Detroit: Converted 7 of 12 attempts (58.3%)
- Chicago: Managed just 2 of 10 attempts (20.0%)
When you’re moving the chains at nearly three times your opponent’s rate, you control the game. Simple as that.
Ball Security Decided This Game
| Team | Fumbles Lost | Direct Points From Turnovers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago | 2 | 10 points allowed |
Both Chicago fumbles occurred in scoring position. Josh Paschal recovered the first at Chicago’s 36-yard line, setting up Jahmyr Gibbs’ 1-yard touchdown. Ben Niemann snagged the second at the Lions’ 40, leading to Jake Bates’ 34-yard field goal. Game, set, match.
Offensive Standouts
Lions Attack Through the Air and Ground
Jared Goff’s Masterclass Goff torched Chicago’s secondary with surgical precision: 23/32 for 336 yards, 3 touchdowns, zero picks. That’s a 137.0 passer rating and his 33rd touchdown pass of the season. The veteran quarterback spread the wealth too, hitting eight different receivers.
Ground Game Excellence Jahmyr Gibbs bulldozed for 109 yards on 23 carries while adding 4 catches for 45 yards. His 4.7 yards per carry kept Chicago’s defence honest and set up play-action opportunities. The Lions totalled 146 rushing yards compared to Chicago’s measly 59.
Big Play Ability Jameson Williams exploded for 143 yards on just 5 catches, including an 82-yard touchdown bomb that essentially put the game away. Amon-Ra St. Brown added his usual reliability with 6 grabs for 70 yards and a score.
Bears’ Bright Spots Despite the Loss
Caleb Williams Shows Promise The rookie quarterback’s stat line reads better than the final score: 26/40 for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns. More impressively, he extended his interception-free streak to 326 attempts, setting both Bears franchise and NFL rookie records. His pocket presence improved dramatically from previous weeks, even while dealing with pressure.
Keenan Allen’s Veteran Savvy Allen hauled in 9 catches for 141 yards, consistently finding soft spots in Detroit’s zone coverage. His 45-yard touchdown grab late in the first half kept Chicago within striking distance at halftime.
Defensive Difference Makers
Key Defensive Statistics
| Category | Lions | Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Sacks | 2 for 11 yards | 1 for 7 yards |
| Fumbles Recovered | 2 | 0 |
| Third Down Stops | 80% | 41.7% |
While neither defence dominated in terms of sacks, Detroit’s ability to force turnovers at crucial moments proved decisive. Ifeatu Melifonwu and Al-Quadin Muhammad each recorded sacks, but the real heroes were Paschal and Niemann with their fumble recoveries.
Brian Branch led Detroit with 10 solo tackles, constantly disrupting Chicago’s rhythm. For the Bears, Jonathan Owens topped the tackle chart with 7 solo stops, but the defence couldn’t generate the game-changing plays they desperately needed.
Special Teams Impact
The punting disparity tells you everything about offensive effectiveness:
- Lions: Jack Fox punted just once all game (47 yards)
- Bears: Tory Taylor booted it away three times (40.3 yard average)
Jake Bates connected on 2 of 3 field goals for Detroit, though his 65-yard attempt at the half sailed wide. Cairo Santos stayed perfect for Chicago, hitting his lone field goal attempt from 30 yards.
Game Flow and Momentum Shifts
First Quarter: Lions Strike Early
Detroit wasted no time establishing dominance. After forcing a three-and-out, they drove for a Jake Bates field goal. Chicago’s first fumble immediately followed, gifting Detroit prime field position for Gibbs’ touchdown plunge. Another Bears fumble led to another Bates field goal. Just like that, 13-0.
Second Quarter: Trading Blows
Jameson Williams’ 82-yard touchdown catch pushed Detroit’s lead to 20-0, seemingly putting the game out of reach. But Chicago responded with two touchdown drives, including Keenan Allen’s spectacular 45-yard score with 39 seconds left in the half. Suddenly, 27-14 looked manageable.
Second Half: Detroit Slams the Door
Any momentum Chicago carried into halftime evaporated quickly. Detroit marched 79 yards in five plays to open the third quarter, capped by Sam LaPorta’s 21-yard touchdown. The Lions even pulled out the trick play playbook, with Goff faking a stumble before finding LaPorta wide open. At 34-14, this one was over.
Historical Significance
This victory marked several franchise milestones for Detroit:
- 13 wins: New single-season franchise record
- 7-0 road record: First perfect road slate through Week 16 in team history
- 493 points scored: Breaking the 2011 franchise record
The Braxton Jones Factor
Chicago’s offensive line took a massive hit when left tackle Braxton Jones suffered a season-ending ankle fracture in the second quarter. Protecting a rookie quarterback’s blind side becomes exponentially harder without your starting left tackle. The Bears’ already struggling ground game (59 total yards) had no chance after losing their anchor.
Statistical Context Five Months Later
Looking back from today’s perspective in May 2025, this game perfectly encapsulated both teams’ seasons. Detroit rode their offensive efficiency and opportunistic defence all the way to the playoffs. Chicago’s combination of rookie growing pains and costly turnovers defined their campaign.
The Bears showed similar issues in their previous matchup against Minnesota, struggling with third-down conversions and establishing any ground game. Meanwhile, Detroit’s balanced attack proved equally effective against Washington later in the season.
Breaking Down the Box Score
Final Team Statistics
| Statistical Category | Detroit | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 27 | 19 |
| Yards Per Play | 7.3 | 6.5 |
| Time of Possession | 31:29 | 28:31 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/5 TDs | 1/3 TDs |
| Penalties | 7 for 55 yards | 10 for 70 yards |
Top Individual Performances
Passing Leaders
- Jared Goff (DET): 23/32, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
- Caleb Williams (CHI): 26/40, 334 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Rushing Leaders
- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET): 23 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD
- Caleb Williams (CHI): 6 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Leaders
- Jameson Williams (DET): 5 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD
- Keenan Allen (CHI): 9 catches, 141 yards, 1 TD
What This Game Revealed
The statistical breakdown from this NFC North clash reveals fundamental differences in execution. Detroit’s ability to sustain drives through third-down conversions kept their defence fresh and Chicago’s offence off rhythm. Add perfect ball security against a team that coughed it up twice, and you’ve got your recipe for victory.
For Chicago, Caleb Williams’ continued development remains the silver lining. His record-setting interception-free streak demonstrates growing maturity in the pocket. But until they establish a consistent rushing attack and clean up the fumbles, competing with elite teams like Detroit remains a tall order.
FAQs About Bears-Lions Player Statistics
Who led the game in total yards?
Jared Goff topped all players with 336 passing yards, closely followed by Caleb Williams’ 334 yards through the air.
Which Lions receiver had the biggest game?
Jameson Williams dominated with 143 receiving yards on just 5 catches, averaging 28.6 yards per reception.
How many turnovers did each team commit?
Detroit played a clean game with zero turnovers. Chicago lost two fumbles, both recovered by the Lions’ defence.
What was the final score?
The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 34-17 at Soldier Field on 22 December 2024.
Did any records fall during this game?
Yes, several. Detroit set franchise records for wins (13) and road victories (7-0). Caleb Williams extended his NFL rookie record to 326 passes without an interception.
The Bottom Line
Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions match player stats from Week 16 demonstrate how winning football transcends raw yardage totals. Detroit’s mastery of situational football, particularly their 58.3% third-down conversion rate and zero turnovers, proved insurmountable for a Bears team still finding its identity. While Chicago flashed potential through Williams and Allen’s passing connection, their ground game struggles and costly fumbles prevented any real threat to Detroit’s supremacy in this rivalry matchup.
