Late TD continues Detroit’s streak

DETROIT — Matthew Stafford ran for a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown with 3:17 left after throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter — one that was returned for a score — and the Detroit Lions held on for a 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears.

“It’s fourth quarter, go time, you’ve got to make a play,” Staff o rd re c a l l e d t hi nki ng when he dashed up the middle on a designed run.“I surely wasn’t going to slide on the 2.”

Matt Barkley completed two passes that put the Bears in a position to at least attempt a tying field goal in the final minute, but both were negated by flags, before the Bears turned the ball over on downs at the Detroit 44.

“You can’t really recover from t wo holding penalties back to back , ” s a i d B e a r s g u a rd Ted Larsen, who was called for holding as was left tackle Charles Leno.

Chicago’s chances of pulling off an upset were also hurt by three penalties for pass interference for a total of 74 yards, helping Detroit score both of its TDs.

The NFC North-leading Lions (9-4) have won five straight and eight of nine, moving them a step closer to winning a division title for the first time in 23 years. They’ve come from behind in eight of their victories, the most in the NFL since at least 1950.

“Our goals are much bigger than winning this game,” receiver Anquan Boldin said.

Chicago (3-10) has lost four of five, playing a lot of young players in place of banged-up veterans. The Bears were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Barkley, in the first road start of his career, perfectly led Cameron Meredith on a 31-yard TD to pull the Bears within three late in the third quarter. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 212 yards.

Stafford, who put a white glove on his right hand during the game to protec t his injured middle finger in the first quarter, was picked off twice after he threw only one interception in the previous eight games.