Week 1 Recap: Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions

It was a dramatic day for the NFC North, and the matchup between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions was no different. After questions about whether or not Mitchell Trubisky could truly lead the Bears in the 2020 season, Trubisky answered with three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter that gave the Chicago Bears a dramatic win over the Lions 27-23.

The Bears and Lions traded field goals until 19 seconds were left in the first half. Right before both teams made their way into the tunnels, rookie running back D’Andre Swift punched in his first NFL rushing touchdown. The Lions opened the second half with a quick touchdown drive that ended in a four-yard pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Mitchell Trubisky struggled to begin the game. The fourth-year quarterback looked lost in the pocket and was unable to deliver passes on point to Anthony Miller or Allen Robinson. However, once Trubisky entered crunch time in the fourth quarter, he turned it on and led the Bears like the quarterback he was proclaimed to be by Matt Nagy. Trubsiky threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to Miller, Jimmy Graham, and Javon Wims. Backed by an impressive run by the Chicago defense, Trubisky was able to lead the best fourth-quarter comeback of his young career.

Highlights

.@TheJimmyGraham TD GRAB! 👐

📺: FOX #CHIvsDET | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/ptRTFZrUnE

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 13, 2020

Jimmy Graham climbs the fountain of youth for a red zone snag.

9⃣ hits @TheeHOCK8 for the score❗️ pic.twitter.com/aXfax0f9Bq

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 13, 2020

TJ Hockenson showing that he is the favorite option for Matthew Stafford, especially in the red zone.

.@AnthonyMiller_3 FOR DA LEAD!!!

📺: FOX #CHIvsDET | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/S0dLCQLNL9

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 13, 2020

Anthony Miller with an amazing sideline catch to take the lead under two minutes.

The biggest question coming into the game was how effective Mitchell Trubisky would be. Well, he matched Matthew Stafford and overall outplayed the veteran quarterback. Although Trubisky had Bears fans calling for Nick Foles at halftime, the clutch performance from the Bears 2nd overall selection will likely calm down the Chicago faithful for the time being. Their defense was on point in the second half with Kyle Fuller providing a clutch interception and Khalil Mack continued to disrupt the Lions offensive gameplan.

The Lions really missed star wide receiver Kenny Golladay on Sunday. With Danny Amendola leading the Lions in receiving, Stafford was missing his favorite red-zone target. With Swift, Golladay, and Hockenson providing dynamic options for the Lions in the coming weeks, Lions fans should not worry about their offensive production moving forward. Defensively, the Lions need to not relax too early and allow 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and especially cannot have their leader, Jamie Collins, get ejected because of illegal contact with an official.

The Bears and Lions will meet again in Week 13. Both franchises were projected closer to the bottom of the NFC North. If the game will matter is still to be determined. Either way, the Bears and Lions provided an exciting and dramatic matchup for fans who have been starving for sports since March.