The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lions handle Bears, remain in NFC hunt
Stafford, defense dominate in 20-10 win for Detroit (8-6).
Matthew Stafford struck a balance between making plays and avoiding mistakes to keep the Lions in the playoff picture.
Stafford threw two touchdown passes and didn’t have a turnover, helping host Detroit beat the Bears 20-10 on Saturday.
“It’s just trying to be as calculated as you can with those chances that you’re going to take,” he said. “And, understanding the game situation.”
Detroit (8-6) has won two straight and needs to close the regular season with two more wins to keep its postseason hopes alive.
“We’ve got to win to stay in,” said tight end Eric Ebron, who caught Stafford’s second TD pass. “If we win, we will hopefully make it to the playoffs. If not, then we get booted.”
Whether the Bears (4-10) win another game this season or not, they may end up giving coach John Fox the boot.
Chicago has lost six of seven, sealing a third season with double-digit losses in three years under its embattled coach.
Stafford threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to TJ Jones to put Detroit up 13-0 with 6:10 left in the first half after Fox chose to punt on fourthand-1 from the Chicago 45.
“We were thinking about field position,” Fox said. “It’s not a no-lose situation because if we don’t make it, they’ve got the ball at our 45. Like I said, you could go for it, but you have to know that it can come back and bite you.”
Stafford was 25 of 33 for 237 yards and didn’t throw an interception for the first time since Week 11. His 8-yard pass to Ebron gave Detroit a 20-3 lead early in the third quarter after Darius Slay’s first of two interceptions.
Chicago rookie Mitchell Trubisky had season highs in completions (31), attempts (46), yards passing (314) and interceptions (three), including one to safety Quandre Diggs in the end zone early in the fourth quarter.
“We have complete confidence in Mitch,” Fox said. “And, we know that he’s going to have better days.”
The Bears ran for just 43 yards on 15 carries after having a season-high 232 yards rushing in last week’s 33-7 win at Cincinnati.
Trubisky threw a 9-yard TD pass to Benny Cunningham to make it 20-10 with 2:32 left. After Fox chose not to try an onside kick, the Bears got the ball back 25 seconds later on their 6 and moved the ball to the Detroit 25 before Slay’s second interception ended their comeback hopes.
Jaguars: Running back Leonard Fournette will not play today as the Jaguars seek to wrap up a playoff spot with a win at home against the Texans, ESPN reports.
Fournette is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and missed practice all week. Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon will share the rushing load. Packers: Activated quarterback Aaron Rodgers from injured reserve as expected, a day before he starts in a must-win game at Carolina.
Rodgers broke his right collarbone at Minnesota on Oct. 15, had surgery and was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 20. He returned to practice on a limited basis on Dec. 2, was cleared by the team’s medical staff Tuesday night and took the firstteam reps this week.
“Looks like the old Aaron back in there,” quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said Thursday.
Buccaneers: Will be missing their top two defensive players, tackle Gerald McCoy (biceps) and linebacker Lavonte David (hamstring), as well as cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (hamstring) on Monday night against Atlanta.
Falcons: Running back Tevin Coleman (concussion) and left guard Andy Levitre (triceps) have been ruled out for Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay.
Bengals: Rookie running back Joe Mixon (concussion), who has 518 rushing yards on 157 carries, did not make the trip to Minnesota for today’s game. Gio Bernard will start in Mixon’s place.
Seahawks: Placed safety Kam Chancellor (neck) on injured reserve, waived guard Mark Glowinski, and promoted linebacker Kache Palacio and cornerback Mike Tyson from the practice squad.
Dolphins: Running back Damien Williams (shoulder) and special teams standout Michael Thomas (knee) will miss today’s game at Buffalo.