DETROIT – With an 11-1 start, their best in team history, the Detroit Lions continue to end a long list of notable losing streaks.

The Lions, who beat the Chicago Bears 23-20, had lost seven straight Thanksgiving Day games, something head coach Dan Campbell highlighted all week.

The Lions dominated the first half with 18 first downs compared to the Bears with just two. Chicago’s first first down came with 55 seconds left in the second quarter. The second half was a different story as the Bears stormed back, only to fail after a sack as time expired on the final drive of the game.

Quarterback Jared Goff completed 21 of 34 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. The running back duo Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 175 yards.

While they honored the late John Madden with jersey patches on their uniforms, the Lions’ defense also threw a first-half shutout in front of a star-studded crowd that included actor Tim Allen, rapper Eminem, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and Lions edge- Rusher Aidan belonged to Hutchinson, who was wearing vacation clothes in a suite. –Eric Woodyard

Detroit Lions (11-1)

Most surprising performance: TE Sam LaPorta. After a record-setting rookie season, the Pro Bowler got off to a slow start in Year 2 with two touchdowns in Weeks 1-8. However, LaPorta scored two touchdowns against the Bears in his second game back with Goff after being sidelined by a shoulder injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 17th.

Describe the game in two words: Defensive disappointment. Before Keenan Allen’s 31-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams early in the second half, the Lions’ defense had not allowed a touchdown since halftime of the Houston Texans game in Week 10 under the leadership of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Detroit would allow a total of three passing touchdowns in the second half.

Worrying trend: The Lions’ injury woes continue as defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and DL Josh Paschal (knee) were sidelined early in the second half. Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Alex Anzalone, DL John Cominsky, LB Derrick Barnes, DL Marcus Davenport, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and special teams ace/linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin are key defensive players on injured reserve. — Wood yard

Next game: vs. Packers (8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 5)

A second-half comeback brought the Bears within striking distance of their division rival. Chicago erased a 16-point deficit after a one-sided affair in the first half behind quarterback Caleb Williams, who completed 20 of his 39 pass attempts for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

It was enough to put the Bears behind by three points late and they were now in a position to finally see the other side of a one-score affair.

But Chicago didn’t take advantage of its final timeout in the final moments and let time expire, taking advantage of a chance to win its first NFC North game in 11 months.

QB distribution: There were two halves for the No. 1 overall pick. Williams struggled to extend plays in the first two quarters. He went 0-for-3 while battling pressure, 0-for-6 on passes with more than 15 air yards and 0-for-2 on passes thrown outside the pocket. On Chicago’s first drive of the second half, Williams led the Bears’ longest drive of the day (74 yards), capped by a touchdown to Keenan Allen. This TD throw set a new franchise record for rookie passing touchdowns (12), previously held by Charlie O’Rourke (1942). Williams has thrown 231 passes without an interception, which is the longest streak by a rookie in NFL history.

Worrying trend: Matt Eberflus’ seat has gone from hot to boiling hot after the Bears suffered their sixth straight loss. Whether it was his drive to raise the challenge flag (he’s 0-5 this season), poor game management (one timeout remaining and time running out on the comeback), or bad fielding prepared team – the defeats against Eberflus keep piling up. He is 2-13 against NFC North opponents (.154), which is the worst record in the NFL since he was hired in 2022. The Bears are prepared for a head coaching search in January as every loss cements Eberflus’ fate.

Biggest gap in the game plan: Keenan Allen sparked the Bears’ comeback with two touchdown passes in the second half, cutting the Lions’ lead to 10. What’s concerning is how long it took Allen to get going. The 32-year-old receiver wasn’t targeted until the third quarter after sending 15 passes his way against the Vikings a week ago. –Courtney Cronin

Next game: at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 8)