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DETROIT (AP) – Long before Matthew Stafford's two interceptions in the fourth quarter, the Detroit Lions looked limited offensively.
Playing with running back Kerry Johnson and Marvin Jones, the Lions kept it close to Chicago on Thursday. Stafford's late interceptions turned the game into the Bears' favor, but even when Detroit was keeping better care of the ball, the Lions were not exactly picking up huge chunks of yardage. Detroit has got to be a part of the game – but that is Dec. 2 matchup is against a formidable opponent in the Los Angeles Rams.
"There's a lot of time to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves," Detroit coach Matt Patricia said. '' We have one of the best teams in the NFL coming in here next week. ''
The Lions (4-7) already had a lot of losses when they went 9-7 before firing coach Jim Caldwell and replacing him with Patricia. It's been a struggle in 2018: The team started 0-2, battled back to 3-3, then lost three straight. Detroit was 3-4 when he traded Golden Tate receiver to the Eagles. Now Jones has been dealing with a knee injury, further hampering the passing game.
Receiver Kenny Golladay looks like he could be developing into a star, but against the Bears he seemed like Detroit's only big-play threat.
Stafford finished 28 of 38 for 236 yards in the Thanksgiving loss to Chicago. It was the third time in four games he averaged under 10 yards per completion. He pointed out afterward that the Lions were quick to pass with Chicago's pass rush.
I think it's just influenced by what you see when you play it. Teams that hold the ball against those guys do not get the ball off quite a bit, '' Stafford said. "I do not make those two turnovers, we do not make those poor plays, we're right where we want to be."
With the score tied at 16, Stafford threw an interception that was run back for a touchdown. Then he had a pass picked up in the end zone with just over a minute to play.
Both Jones and Johnson were out with knee injuries. Johnson, a rookie, has given Detroit's running game a boost, but even with him out, the Lions have been able to move the ball decently on the ground. LeGarrette Blount ran for a season-high 88 yards with two touchdowns.
'' He's a great player. He's tough, he's competitive, he works hard and tries to do everything the right way, '' Patricia said. "He has a great knack for being able to break a couple, which was good. But look, it does not really matter. We have to go win. We have to figure it out. We have to be better, and better, and just go better than we did. "
NOTES: The Lions announced Friday that they have been assigned CB Marcus Cooper via waivers from the Bears. Detroit waived S Don Carey. … OUR DEDICATED BULLY GOING THROUGHOUT THE LIONS Ansah has dealt with this problem, but he was a factor Thursday with a sack and two hurries.
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