For much of the 21st century, the early Thanksgiving Day NFL game has been about which team is going to Detroit to beat the Lions. In their traditional 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff slot, the Lions are 5-18 since 2000, and have lost their last seven games on Thanksgiving Day. This year feels a bit different, though, with 10-1 Detroit bringing the league’s best team — according to Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab’s NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 13 — to the table, hoping for a feast against the 4-7 Chicago Bears.
The Lions were last seen on Sunday making short work of the Colts in a 24-6 win — Detroit’s sixth victory by double-digits this season. Chicago, meanwhile, lost a 30-27 overtime thriller to the Vikings, a game in which Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns in arguably his best outing of the season. The last time these two franchises met on Thanksgiving Day was back in 2021, a 16-14 Bears win. The Lions went on to finish 3-13-1 that season in Jared Goff’s first year in Detroit.
How to watch Bears vs. Lions on Thanksgiving Day
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Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
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Location: Ford Field | Detroit
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TV channel: CBS
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Streaming: Paramount+, Fubo
Live25 updates
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With seconds left in the half, Chicago tried its best to get the ball down the field
It was all hands on deck for the Bears (and the Lions’ defense), but Caleb Williams’ last-second pass was incomplete. Chicago will get the ball first to start the second half.
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Lions-Bears heads into halftime with Detroit holding a 16-0 lead.
Although Chicago got the turnover, the Bears were unable to get the ball down the field before the half expired. Detroit leads, 16-0, as the teams head into the locker room.
It’s been all Detroit in this first half, with the Lions holding the ball for 23 of the 30 minutes and converting on all but one of their drives.
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Chicago finally gets a first down
Right after forcing the fumble, the Bears finally get their first first down of the game, with Caleb Williams throwing to Cole Kmet for a 14 yard gain.
Chicago gets their second first down shortly afterwards, off an illegal contact penalty on Detroit. We’ll take it!
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Fumble! Jahmyr Gibbs lets the ball get loose and Chicago recovers
With the turnover, the Bears will now get the ball back at their own six yard line. Is the tide finally turning for Chicago?
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Bears fail to convert on fourth down
Chicago goes for it on fourth-and-three, but Caleb Williams’ pass to D’Andre Swift is incomplete and the Bears will turn over on downs at Chicago’s 37 yard line. Williams wants the the pass interference flag, but the refs let the play stand. Poor Chicago can’t get any wins today.
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And another Detroit field goal
The Lions have taken a commanding 16-0 lead, but they’ve now had to settle for three field goals where they could have gotten touchdowns. The Bears defense is doing its job well, and Detroit might be a little annoyed that it can’t quite get into the end zone.
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Jahmyr Gibbs picks up 28 yards off an electric run
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Another three-and-out for the Bears
Chicago’s struggles continue, as Caleb Williams’ pocket collapses and his awkward pass towards Rome Odunze hits the ground. So far, the Bears have nine plays off of three drives.
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Detroit settles for another field goal
At 3rd & goal, Goff is forced to slide under pressure with Bears lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. getting the sack.
Jake Bates kicks another field goal and the Lions are up 13-0.
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Lions pick up 45 yards off a pass/penalty combo
Jared Goff finds Tim Patrick for a 30 yard gain, and then takes the contact for a roughing the passer penalty. Detroit then gets an additional 15 yards tacked on the end of the play as a result.
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Aidan Hutchinson is feeling the Thanksgiving spirit at the Lions game
Star Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who has been out since October after breaking his leg, is at Ford Field today in a holiday mood.
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Offensive pass interference puts Chicago back to third and 14
It’s been a tough game so far for the Bears, and a penalty doesn’t help. Chicago TE Cole Kmet gets flagged for offensive pass interference, putting the Bears at 3rd & 14.
On that next down, Caleb Williams sprints around some crazy pressure, but is forced to throw the ball away, and Chicago will punt.
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Sam LaPorta holds on for the touchdown to open the second quarter
Detroit TE Sam LaPorta makes the tricky catch in the first seconds of the second quarter, and the Lions are up 10-0 over the Bears.
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Big play from Amon-Ra St. Brown holds off a Detroit punt
Jared Goff connects with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 29-yard pass, getting the first down and keeping the drive alive.
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Chicago’s challenge is unsuccessful
Matt Eberflus thinks that the call on Jameson Williams’ incomplete pass is narrow enough to challenge, but instead wastes his challenge flag in the first quarter. Lions keep the ball.
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Chaos as Jameson Williams lets the ball get loose
Lions receiver Jameson Williams lost control of the ball as he was coming down with the catch. Bears think it’s a fumble, but refs rule it an incomplete pass because he never quite had control.
Chicago is challenging the ruling.
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DJ Moore shaken up after a tough hit
Bears receiver DJ Moore hit the ground hard after a tough hit from the Lions, with the pass intended for him sailing out of bounds. Hopefully Moore is ok.
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Lions kickoff goes through the uprights
Detroit kicker Jake Bates kicks off, getting back to doink off the posts and through the uprights, and Bears will start their first drive with a touchback. Three more points for the Lions?
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Lions settle for a field goal on the opening drive
After a few incomplete passes in the red zone, Detroit takes a 3-0 led over the Bears off the opening drive.
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Penei Sewell’s trick play falls a little short
A Lions play led to offensive tackle Penei Sewell getting the ball, poised for a potential touchdown throw. Unfortunately, Sewell was under pressure before he could get the throw off, and lost a few yards. What could have been.
