Jared Goff delivered a perfect performance with five touchdown passes as the Detroit Lions demolished the Chicago Bears 52-21 at Ford Field on September 14, 2025. Goff completed 23 of 28 attempts for 334 yards with a flawless 156.0 passer rating, connecting with Amon-Ra St. Brown for three scores. The Lions piled up 511 total yards while forcing two turnovers. Rome Odunze provided Chicago’s only highlight with a career-high 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns, but the Bears managed just 339 total yards in a game that was never competitive after halftime.
Table of Contents
Game Leaders
| Category | Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | C. Williams: 19/30, 207 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT | J. Goff: 23/28, 334 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT |
| Rushing | D. Swift: 12 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD | J. Gibbs: 12 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | R. Odunze: 7 rec, 128 yards, 2 TD | A. St. Brown: 9 rec, 115 yards, 3 TD |
| Tackles | J. Brisker: 9 total (7 solo) | J. Campbell: 8 total (4 solo) |
| Sacks | None | A. Muhammad: 1 sack |
Team Statistics
| Stat Category | Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 339 | 511 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.8 | 8.8 |
| First Downs | 19 | 25 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 7/13 (54%) | 4/10 (40%) |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 0/2 (0%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Red Zone Scoring | 2/2 (100%) | 6/7 (86%) |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 29:40 | 30:20 |
Detroit’s 8.8 yards per play set a franchise record while Chicago’s two turnovers resulted in 14 Detroit points.
How Detroit Won This Game
The Lions established dominance from the opening kickoff. Goff hit St. Brown for 34 yards on the first snap, then Jahmyr Gibbs scored from 6 yards out five plays later. Chicago answered when Caleb Williams found Odunze for a 28-yard touchdown on third down, beating a blitz perfectly.
Detroit pulled ahead 21-7 when David Montgomery powered in from 1 yard out late in the first quarter. The Bears stayed within striking distance through the second quarter until the final minute changed everything.
The game shifted in the final minute of the first half. With 16 seconds remaining at the Chicago 33, Goff threw deep for rookie Isaac TeSlaa along the right sideline. TeSlaa made a diving one-handed grab at the 6-yard line. Officials initially ruled him out of bounds with time expired, but replay showed his knee touched inbounds. According to the official game recap, there was a 10-second runoff down to six seconds. On the next snap, Goff found St. Brown for a 4-yard touchdown with two seconds left, giving Detroit a 28-14 halftime lead.
Chicago never recovered. The Bears never threatened in the third quarter as Detroit scored on a 64-yard completion to Jameson Williams, then a 44-yard Williams touchdown catch. St. Brown added two more scoring receptions in the second half as the Lions rolled to their most lopsided NFC North divisional victory of the season.
Two turnovers killed any comeback hopes for Chicago. Safety Kerby Joseph intercepted Williams at the Detroit 33 in the second quarter, leading directly to a touchdown. Brian Branch forced a D’Andre Swift fumble that Jack Campbell recovered, setting up another Lions score.
Passing Performance
Chicago Bears Passing
| Player | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | 19/30 | 207 | 2 | 1 | 4 for 29 yards | 91.9 |
| Tyson Bagent | 2/3 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 95.1 |
| Team Total | 21/33 | 205 | 2 | 1 | 4 for 29 yards | 92.2 |
Williams completed 63% of his throws but took four sacks totaling 29 lost yards. Detroit’s front seven disrupted his timing all afternoon, forcing quick decisions. His two touchdown connections with Odunze in the first half kept Chicago competitive before the offense disappeared after intermission. Left tackle Braxton Jones allowed six pressures including two sacks according to Pro Football Focus data.
Detroit Lions Passing
| Player | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | 23/28 | 334 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 156.0 |
Goff’s 82.1% completion rate included 16 consecutive completions to close the game. He wasn’t touched for a sack, working from clean pockets throughout this Sunday afternoon performance. His five touchdown passes marked his third career game with at least five scoring throws. According to Pro Football Focus, Goff earned an 85.1 offensive grade while tying Tom Brady’s 2007 NFL record for fourth consecutive games completing 75% of passes with 25 or more attempts.
Offensive coordinator John Morton’s play calling attacked Chicago’s secondary relentlessly. Goff averaged 11.9 yards per attempt, finding open receivers on quick slants, deep posts, and perfectly timed back-shoulder throws.
Ground Attack
Chicago Bears Rushing
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D’Andre Swift | 12 | 63 | 5.3 | 1 | 20 |
| Kyle Monangai | 7 | 28 | 4.0 | 0 | 10 |
| Caleb Williams | 5 | 27 | 5.4 | 0 | 10 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Tyson Bagent | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 7 |
| Team Total | 27 | 134 | 5.0 | 1 | 20 |
Swift averaged 5.3 yards per carry, but Chicago couldn’t establish consistent rushing lanes. The Bears ran 27 times for 134 yards, decent numbers, but Chicago’s offense stalled with just seven total points after halftime. Caleb Williams added 27 yards on scrambles, using his mobility to extend plays when Detroit’s pass rush collapsed the pocket.
Detroit Lions Rushing
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 12 | 94 | 7.8 | 1 | 42 |
| David Montgomery | 11 | 57 | 5.2 | 1 | 18 |
| Kalif Raymond | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 6 |
| Jared Goff | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Craig Reynolds | 3 | 4 | 1.3 | 0 | 3 |
| Team Total | 30 | 177 | 5.9 | 2 | 42 |
Gibbs ripped off explosive runs of 42 and 26 yards, finishing with 94 yards on just 12 touches. Montgomery added the power game, scoring twice and punishing Chicago’s front seven with 57 yards. The duo combined for 151 yards on 23 carries, scoring for the 10th time in their careers as teammates. That production kept Chicago’s defense honest, creating one-on-one matchups downfield for St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Receiving Statistics
Chicago Bears Receiving
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome Odunze | 7 | 11 | 128 | 18.3 | 2 | 37 |
| DJ Moore | 5 | 6 | 46 | 9.2 | 0 | 18 |
| Cole Kmet | 2 | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 0 | 22 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | 2 | 5 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Kyle Monangai | 1 | 3 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| D’Andre Swift | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Luther Burden III | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 |
Odunze caught seven passes for a career-high 128 yards. His two touchdown receptions, covering 28 and 6 yards, both came in the first half when Chicago still had hope. According to the Bears’ official statistics, Odunze became the first Chicago receiver since James Scott in 1977 to record multiple touchdown receptions in a single first half during his first two seasons. The USC product beat tight coverage repeatedly, showing why he was a first-round selection.
Detroit Lions Receiving
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 9 | 11 | 115 | 12.8 | 3 | 34 |
| Jameson Williams | 2 | 4 | 108 | 54.0 | 1 | 64 |
| Isaac TeSlaa | 1 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 0 | 29 |
| Brock Wright | 3 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 1 | 12 |
| Sam LaPorta | 3 | 4 | 26 | 8.7 | 0 | 10 |
| Kalif Raymond | 1 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 3 | 3 | 10 | 3.3 | 0 | 8 |
| David Montgomery | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 |
St. Brown hauled in nine passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns, reaching 100 yards by halftime for the first time in his career. The three-touchdown performance made him the first Lions receiver since Calvin Johnson in 2010 to record 100 receiving yards and three scores in a single game. “He’s as good as they get in our league,” Goff said. “As reliable of a player as I’ve ever thrown to in my life.”
Williams averaged 54 yards per reception on just two catches. His 64-yarder opened the second half, setting up a field goal. His 44-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter put the game away. Rookie TeSlaa continued his hot start with another spectacular one-handed catch, his second in as many NFL games. Wright caught three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive Performance
Chicago Bears Defense
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaquan Brisker | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tremaine Edmunds | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyrique Stevenson | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Noah Sewell | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Byard III | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Montez Sweat | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Chicago’s defense generated zero sacks for the second straight week. Sweat, the team’s highest-paid pass rusher, extended his drought to seven games without a sack in his last eight contests. The Bears allowed 511 total yards and surrendered seven explosive plays of 20 or more yards.
Detroit Lions Defense
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Campbell | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Branch | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Terrion Arnold | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Alex Anzalone | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derrick Barnes | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.J. Reed | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Al-Quadin Muhammad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Aidan Hutchinson | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Marcus Davenport | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Branch earned a 91.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest defensive mark in Week 2. The third-year safety recorded six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. His versatility lets Sheppard use him across multiple coverages.
Hutchinson’s sack came midway through the fourth quarter, his first since suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6 last season. The Ford Field crowd gave him a standing ovation when he brought Caleb Williams down for a seven-yard loss. The emotional moment capped his successful return from the injury that ended his 2024 campaign. Muhammad, Davenport, and Branch each added sacks as Detroit totaled four takedowns.
Turnovers
| Team | Interceptions | Fumbles Lost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Joseph intercepted Williams at the Detroit 33 in the second quarter, his 18th career pick. Campbell recovered Swift’s fumble at the Lions 32 after Branch delivered a punishing hit. Both turnovers led directly to Detroit touchdowns, swinging momentum decisively.
Special Teams
| Team | Player | FG | Long | XP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Cairo Santos | 0/0 | 0 | 3/3 | 3 |
| Detroit | Jake Bates | 1/2 | 34 | 7/7 | 10 |
Bates missed a 55-yard attempt but converted from 34 yards and made all seven extra points. Chicago’s return game produced 215 yards, with Luther Burden III averaging 29.5 yards on four kickoff returns.
Key Adjustments From Week 1
Detroit’s offensive line rebounded dramatically after a difficult opener. Guards Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge allowed seven combined pressures and three sacks in Week 1 at Green Bay. Against Chicago, they surrendered just one pressure between them. “I think in particular Tate Ratledge and Mahogany, as younger players, kind of were able to get last week out of the way and kind of settle in a little bit today,” Goff said after the game. That protection improvement allowed him to operate comfortably all afternoon.
Detroit improved dramatically from Week 1. The Lions generated just one play of 20 or more yards in their Week 1 loss. Against the Bears, they exploded for seven such plays. According to Detroit’s beat writer Tim Twentyman, the Lions enter each game targeting six to eight explosive plays depending on the opponent. They hit that benchmark against Chicago with completions of 64, 44, 34, 32, and 29 yards, plus runs of 42 and 26 yards.
Coaching Matchup
Bears head coach Ben Johnson faced the franchise where he spent three seasons as offensive coordinator. Johnson helped build Detroit’s offense into the NFL’s highest-scoring unit last season before taking the Chicago job. His return resulted in a 31-point defeat.
“Any time you lose a game like that, man, it’s a kick in the teeth,” Johnson said. “When you play a good team on the road and you have turnovers and you don’t convert on fourth down and you give up explosive plays on defense, it can go sideways in a hurry.”
Lions coach Dan Campbell had his team ready after a Week 1 loss at Green Bay. Detroit has avoided consecutive regular season losses for 2.5 years under Campbell’s leadership. “I knew the guys would respond,” Campbell said. “This train keeps rolling and it’s always going to start with the players.”
Week 2 Implications
Detroit improved to 1-1 heading into their September 22 Monday Night Football matchup at Baltimore. The Lions offense regained its explosive form after a sluggish opener, averaging a franchise-record 8.8 yards per play. Chicago dropped to 0-2 with home games against Dallas (September 21) and Kansas City approaching. The Bears must address offensive line protection after allowing eight sacks through two weeks while their defense has failed to generate pressure, recording zero sacks in both contests.
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The complete statistical breakdown from this NFC North divisional matchup demonstrates Detroit’s dominance across every category. Goff’s efficiency, St. Brown’s historic production, and the defense’s two crucial takeaways powered a convincing victory that established the Lions as legitimate contenders while exposing Chicago’s early-season struggles on both sides of the ball.
