Bears vs. Lions: Snap counts, stats, and more

All statistics and snap counts are taken directly from the NFL’s Game Statistic and Information System, as are the accompanying pictures.

This was a historic game for the Chicago Bears, and the players and coaches rose to the challenge.

The 88 hours between the finish of Chicago’s win against the Vikings and kickoff in Detroit against the Lions is the shortest in the modern era of the NFL. The Bears played three division games in a span of 11 days and after each one they ended up in Club Dub.

This may be one of the tightest teams in all of sports and the credit for that goes to head coach Matt Nagy for bringing some swagger, and an expectation to win, to the franchise. General manager Ryan Pace should get plenty of credit too for identifying Nagy as his guy and not letting him leave without a contract.

This is such a fun team to root for because we can see the fun they have in playing the game they love. Even when things aren’t going as smoothly as they’d like, they still find a way to stay in games, and that attitude has helped them to an 8-3 record and has them in discussion as a Super Bowl contender.

In Detroit they not only had to deal with the short turnaround, a hostile environment, but they were also missing number one quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who just lit the Lions up a couple games ago. The offense wasn’t as electric on Thanksgiving, but back up QB Chase Daniel did his job and he kept the Bears in the game even though they were outgained on offense 333 yards to 264. The Bears had more first downs, 19 to 17, but their 3rd down conversion was worse at 30% to 36% for Detroit. Time of possession went to the Lions (32:46 to 27:14), but they were also penalized more than Chicago (5 flags for 54 yards to 3 for 20).

Good teams find ways to win these types of games and I think it’s evident, the 2018 Bears are a damn good team.

Let’s take a closer look at the playing time break downs for the Bears, and also some of the individual stats.

OFFENSE

Daniel had the best game of his nine year career in completing 27 of 37 passes (73%) for 230 yards, 2 TDs, no turnovers, and a passer rating of 106.8. He was sacked 4 times, but Nagy ran him a few times and a ended up with 4 yards on the ground and he had an 8 yard reception on a pass from Anthony Miller.

His most targeted receivers were wide out Taylor Gabriel and running back Tarik Cohen with 8 apiece. Both had 7 catches with Gabriel picking up 49 yards and Cohen getting 45 and a TD. Cohen added 3 runs for 14 yards, and 46 yards on 4 punt returns.

Jordan Howard had a tough time getting started and only had 13 yards on 7 carries, and he had 1 catch for 2 yards. Taquan Mizzell had an impact on the game with a 7 yard run, and 2 receptions for 21 yards and a TD. His one kick return went for 17 yards.

Anthony Miller caught 3 for 41 yards and Allen Robinson II caught 2 for 37. Trey Burton had 4 receptions for 28 yards (and a fumble), and Josh Bellamy had 1 for 7.

DEFENSE

The Bears sacked Matthew Stafford twice and they held him to a 67.4 passer rating.

Rookie Roquan Smith had one of the Bears sacks, while getting a team high 11 tackles (1 TFL). The other Bears sack went to safety Deon Bush.

Kyle Fuller and Danny Trevathan each had 8 tackles, with Fuller adding a game sealing interception and 2 passes defensed. Trevathan had a TFL too.

Prince Amukamara had 6 tackles and a TFL, and the Bears had four players chime in with 4 tackles each, Akiem Hicks, Bryce Callahan, Eddie Goldman, and Adrian Amos.

Eddie Jackson had 3 tackles and a huge interception that he took back to the house for his 5th career TD. Bilal Nichols also had 3 tackles.

Leonard Floyd had 2 tackles and Khalil Mack had 1 and a QBH. Detroit did a nice job on Mack, but other Bears’ defenders stepped up and made plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The players listed above only appeared in the third phase.

Joel Iyiegbuniwe had 2 special teams tackles and Sherrick McManis had 1.

Codey Parkey, fresh off his NFC special teams player of the week award, hit his only field goal try and both extra points he attempted.

Patrick O’Donnell didn’t have the best day in placing his punts even though he had 3 inside the 20 and a 47 yard average.

To check out all the team and individual stats from the game, I find that ESPN has an easy to navigate site. Just click the links above to see the full statistical picture.