The Detroit Lions overcame a bottomless hole of defensive injuries and held off the Chicago Bears 23-20. It was almost entirely different: The Bears drove against a stymied defense but shot themselves in the foot to end the game. Despite the Bears’ late push, the Lions’ defense stepped up several players. Let’s take a look at this week’s movers.

Cover: Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE

Statistics: 1 tackle, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass defended, 1 QB hit

Al-Quadin Muhammad was brought in as a last-ditch effort to provide pass rush help following the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. In his three active games today, Muhammad posted a completely blank stat sheet. However, he emerged from the scene on Thanksgiving Day and played a big role for the Lions late in the game.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Al-Quadin Muhammad sacked Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Five plays later, he moved into coverage and made a perfectly timed read to force an incompletion. Those are two crucial stops on the Bears’ final play, and they couldn’t have come at a better time.

Cover: Za’Darius Smith, EDGE

Statistics: 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits

Smith continues to show why the Lions gave up assets to get him in the middle of the season. He finished the game with multiple sacks and repeatedly managed to sink the pocket against the Bears. Much like Mohammed, Smith couldn’t have had better timing. His first sack of the day came after the two-minute warning, and his second sack would come with 36 seconds left in the game, keeping the clock running and ultimately leading to the Bears’ last-second collapse.

Equity neutral: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB

Statistics: 9 carries, 87 yards; 2 rec, 17 yards

Gibbs continues to show an increased ability to put his head down and gain yards after contact, which is great to see and a nice complement to David Montgomery. It would have been a boost for Gibbs on Thursday if he hadn’t fumbled the ball in the red zone at the end of an otherwise nice catch-and-run. Since the Lions were leading 16-0 at the time of the blunder, it seemed trivial in the grand scheme of things. However, like many of their other mistakes that day, it almost resulted in a setback for the Lions.

Cover: DJ Reader, DT

Statistics: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits

Last week, Reader earned a stock for his strong presence in both run and pass defense, and this week he earns another. He continues to stop the interior efficiently and, more importantly, complements a weakened pass-rush unit, this time with two sacks. That would be impressive for a man of his stature in a normal week, but to do it against someone as elusive as Caleb Williams is icing on the cake.

Stock up: Ezekiel Turner, LB

Statistics: 1 tackle, 0.5 sacks, 1 QB hit

When Malcolm Rodriguez was sidelined with an injury on Thursday, I was surprised to see Ezekiel Turner step in instead of David Long Jr. That bodes well for Turner, and he took advantage of the opportunity to join Za’Darius Smith and make a sack at the two-minute warning.

Inventory reduced: Josh Paschal, DL

Statistics: 1 tackle, 1 tackle for loss

Paschal had a strong performance last week but struggled to follow up with an encore this week. Instead, we saw Paschal leave the game with injury for what felt like the 20th time this season and come back into the game. The best skill is availability, and Paschal continues to have a spotty track record in that regard.

Quick hits

Stock up

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB: Rodrigo had another strong performance before retiring with injury. His fourth down pass breakup against D’Andre Swift came at the right time to avoid a pass interference penalty and force a turnover.

Kerby Joseph, S: Kerby almost got away with another highlight-reel interception, but couldn’t secure the ball on his diving attempt.

Inventory reduced

Jake Bates, K: Bates had his first miss of the season, which was, all things considered, long overdue. However, in such a close game it almost became costly.