Jared Goff throws 3 TD passes as Lions beat Bears 34-17 for franchise-record 13th win

CHICAGO (AP) — Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions locked in from the start and delivered a bounce-back performance. It came with a few team records, too.

Goff threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, and the Detroit Lions remained on top of the NFC with their franchise-best 13th win, 34-17 over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Jameson Williams had a career-high 143 yards receiving on five catches, including an 82-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 109 yards and a score, and Detroit (13-2) broke a tie with the 1991 and 2023 teams for the most wins in franchise history. The Lions also set a single-season record for scoring with 493 points, and they improved to 7-0 away from home, a franchise record for road wins.

The Lions took control early against the Bears (4-11), and they even flexed their dominance by executing a trick play in which Goff intentionally stumbled while dropping back. With Detroit players yelling “Fumble!” and Gibbs pretending to dive for the ball, Goff threw to Sam LaPorta for a 21-yard touchdown that made it 34-14.

It was just what Detroit was looking for coming off a 48-42 loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. That stopped a franchise-best win streak at 11 games and dropped the Lions into a tie atop the conference with Philadelphia and NFC North rival Minnesota.

“This is when your eyes get opened, when competition is at its highest, people are breathing down your neck or you’re chasing somebody and you’re at the top,” coach Dan Campbell said. “It just doesn’t get any better than this. This is what it’s all about. Can it get frustrating, can it get stressful? Yeah, it gets all those. But also it’s the drug. It’s the drug. This is what you live for. Look, some can’t. Some can’t handle this. It’s too much for them. Players, coaches, teams, it’s just too much. But not our group. This is the good stuff, man, and we’re in the middle of it right now.”

The day took another good turn for Detroit when Washington beat Philadelphia 36-33 on Jayden Daniels' touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder in the closing seconds. Lions players watched the end of that game on their phones.

“We know the circumstances that we’re in, and obviously Washington winning, that does do something for the playoffs, but we still have to win these games, and we know that,” Goff said. “It doesn’t change what we had to do anyways. Yeah, we’ve got to win, and San Francisco is next.”

Caleb Williams threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns following a string of shaky performances for the Bears, who lost their ninth in a row and drew more boos from their frustrated fans.

Goff delivered another strong showing a week after becoming the first NFL player to lose while throwing for 400-plus yards and five TDs with no interceptions. The three-time Pro Bowler completed 23 of 32 passes without an interception and had Lions fans chanting his name.

Along with the deep ball to Jameson Williams and the trick play to LaPorta, Goff also threw to Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 8-yard TD in the second quarter.

Gibbs scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter and caught four passes for 45 yards. He joined Barry Sanders and Billy Sims as the only Lions running backs with at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 15 TDs.

The Bears lost to Detroit for the fifth time in six games. Unlike the matchup on Thanksgiving Day — when then-coach Matt Eberflus mismanaged the ending and got fired the next day — they never really challenged in this one.

“I think we fight. I think we’ve got to have better execution,” Caleb Williams said.

Williams at least had a better outing for the Bears after he looked physically and mentally beaten in a lopsided loss at Minnesota. The No. 1 overall draft pick was 26 of 40.

Keenan Allen caught nine passes for a season-high 141 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown near the end of the first half.

Rome Odunze added 77 yards receiving, and Cole Kmet had a touchdown catch. The Bears fell to 0-3 under interim coach Thomas Brown.

“Trying to find the positives, it’s just not good enough,” Kmet said.

The Lions haven't lost consecutive games since dropping five in a row early in the 2022 season. And they weren't about to let the Bears change that.

They outscored Chicago 13-0 in the first quarter and struck again early in the second. Jameson Williams beat Jonathan Owens down the middle on a play-action pass and Goff hit him in stride. It was Williams' fourth TD of 50 yards or more this season.

Bears: LT Braxton Jones (ankle) exited early in the second quarter after he was hurt blocking on a pass. The Chicago sideline emptied, with players forming a semicircle as medical personnel tended to Jones before he was carted off the field.

Lions: Visit San Francisco next Monday night in a rematch of last year's NFC championship game. The 49ers have already been eliminated from the playoffs.

Bears: Host Seattle on Thursday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet walks off the field after his team's 34-17 loss to the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks off the field after his team's 34-17 loss to the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson celebrates the team's 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams listens to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones gives the thumbs up sign as he is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates steps into a 65-yard field goal attempt off the hold of Jack Fox, that missed right during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates watches his 65-yard field goal attempt that missed right during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams recovers a bad snap from center during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions fans watch their team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet celebrates his touchdown reception from quarterback Caleb Williams during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal celebrate his recovery of a Chicago Bears fumble during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, right, celebrates his touchdown with Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Tim Patrick during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams escapes the pressure of Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell smiles along the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff passes under pressure from Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels was not worried when he and the Washington Commanders trailed the Philadelphia Eagles by 14 points after just seven minutes, and the rookie quarterback was similarly undaunted staring down a 13-point deficit going into the fourth quarter, long after Jalen Hurts was sidelined with a concussion.

“I always believe that we can win the game no matter what,” Daniels said. “The game’s never over till the clock hits zero.”

Daniels got the ball when the clock read 1:58, and he delivered his latest masterful performance by finding Jamison Crowder in the end zone with 6 seconds left to give the Commanders an emotional 36-33 comeback victory Sunday that ended the Eagles' winning streak at 10 games. It was his fifth touchdown pass of the game as Daniels shined and kept Philadelphia from celebrating an NFC East championship.

“You got those guys that came in on the win streak they were on, they were hot and they’re a very good team — rightfully so, good offense, good defense, all-around well-prepared team and you want to go out there and see where you match up against those type of guys,” Daniels said.

“I live those type of situations when it’s on thin ice and plays need to be made, that’s what you live for. If you really love this sport, you live for those big-time moments where it comes down to the end.”

Daniels is the first Washington QB to throw for five touchdowns since Mark Rypien in 1991. That was Washington's most recent Super Bowl-winning season. Rypien, who was the MVP of that Super Bowl, was in attendance for Sunday's game.

Daniels bounced back from two interceptions, including one in the final minutes, to lead a 57-yard touchdown drive against the NFL's best defense. Washington (10-5) is now on the verge of making the playoffs after handing the Eagles (12-3) their first loss since Sept. 29.

The Eagles played without Hurts for the vast majority of the game and failed to clinch the division and one of the conference's top two seeds despite Saquon Barkley running for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone.

Daniels was the primary reason for that, beating the Eagles a month after losing to them on the road. He was 24 of 39 for 258 yards with a pair of TDs to Crowder and Olamide Zaccheaus and one to Terry McLaurin — and Daniels was Washington's leading rusher with 81 yards on nine carries.

Daniels is the first rookie quarterback to throw for five or more touchdowns and rush for 65 or more yards in a single game in NFL history.

“It doesn’t get too much harder going against a team like that, back against the wall,” said McLaurin, who had five catches for 60 yards to eclipse 1,000 for a fifth consecutive season. “But when you’ve got to have it , when the game’s on the line, he made the plays and we just tried to make the plays with him.”

Daniels' brilliance was enough to overcome Brian Robinson Jr. losing two fumbles in the first half and Dyami Brown another early in the third quarter and Marshon Lattimore getting flagged three times for pass interference.

The Commanders also found a solution for Barkley, who was held to 41 yards after the first.

“Obviously when a quarterback goes out, we knew that a lot of the attention was going to be on him,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “He’s a special player, so you just want to contain him.”

Philadelphia's offense stagnated with the drop-off from Hurts to backup Kenny Pickett, who threw an interception to Frankie Luvu in his first meaningful NFL action in more than a year.

“We didn't do enough,” Barkley said. “We left a lot of plays out there, including myself.”

Luvu also leveled the hit on Hurts that knocked Philadelphia’s starting QB out of the game just a few minutes in. Hurts’ head also bounced off the ground at the end of his previous run, and he was ruled out after two trips to the medical tent on the sideline and the concussion evaluation that followed.

Hurts’ status is a question that will linger for the Eagles into their final two games of the regular season as the Super Bowl contenders eye a long playoff run. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in relief, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and the interception.

DeVonta Smith dropped a late pass that would have given Philadelphia a first down rather than a second field goal from Jake Elliott, and the receiver took responsibility for the mistake.

"I just dropped the ball," Smith said. “It cost us the game.”

Eagles: Beyond Hurts, edge rusher Josh Sweat left with an ankle injury and defensive tackle Jordan Davis limped off in the second quarter. ... Pickett said he had his ribs X-rayed and would undergo further testing.

Commanders: Lattimore and Brown left with hamstring injuries in the fourth quarter. ... Right tackle Andrew Wylie did not finish the game because of a groin injury. ... Rookie linebacker Jordan Magee left early in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.

Eagles: Host Dallas next Sunday.

Commanders: Host Atlanta next Sunday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) running with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) acknowledges fans as he heads off the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) heads off the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles as he carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrating his touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) scores a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) breaks away from Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) and runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) breaks away from Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) and runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) avoids a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrating his touchdown with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and others during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)