Lions look to pick themselves up against struggling Bears after getting ‘popped in the mouth’
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Penei Sewell #58 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lions defeated the Vikings 30
ALLEN PARK, MI (AP) - Already banged up, the Detroit Lions were beaten, too, last week. This seems as good a time as any to visit Chicago.
The Lions will try to get back to winning when they play the struggling Bears after having their franchise-record 11-game streak stopped.
"We got popped in the mouth and we have to get up off the ground and we have to go back to work and reposition ourselves to be able to play the next game and learn from what just happened," coach Dan Campbell said. "And the other is to not lose confidence in the fact that we still have really good players here on defense and that we have good coaches and that we can play any way that we need to play from that standpoint, but as well as offense and special teams and still win games.
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs upfield during the Detroit Lions versus the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday December 15, 2024 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty I
"So, that’s what’s important and, really, you just have to stay focused on what’s in front of you."
The Lions (12-2) have plenty in front of them despite taking a hard hit last week when Buffalo beat them 48-42. If they beat the Bears (4-10), they’ll set the franchise record for victories.
Detroit is coming off its first loss since Week 2 against Tampa Bay. Combined with wins by Minnesota and Philadelphia, that dropped the Lions into a first-place tie in the NFC North and in the race for top seed in the conference.
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) carries the ball in the second quarter during the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans on November 10, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Pl