Jahvid Best Leads Lions Over Bears on ‘Monday Night Football’
Jahvid Best rushed for 163 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown run, to lead the Detroit Lions to a 24-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on ‘Monday Night Football.’
Long scoring plays helped the Lions win the penalty-filled game that saw the two teams assessed a combined 26 penalties for 198 yards. The Detroit win, which came in front of a loud, sold-out Ford Field crowd during the Lions’ first Monday night game in 10 years, kept the team undefeated on the season with a record of 5-0.
The Bears (2-3) led 10-7 at halftime, but Matthew Stafford found Brandon Pettigrew for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 9:55 remaining in the third quarter to give the Lions the lead for good. Best’s long run a few minutes later extended the lead to 21-13. Detroit turned up the defensive pressure, sacking Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler twice in the final quarter. The Bears were able to protect Cutler early against the aggressive Lions pass rush, allowing just one sack through three quarters.
Detroit’s Calvin Johnson had five catches for 130 yards, including a 73-touchdown reception on a pass from Stafford, who finished with 219 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Matt Forte rushed for 116 yards for the Bears. Cutler passed for 249 yards and a touchdown for Chicago, but he could not guide the team to a touchdown-scoring drive in the second half. The Bears lost despite dominating time of possession — they had the ball for 39:03, compared to the Lions’ 20:57.