The Sports Xchange
Oct 2, 2016
CHICAGO -- Quarterback Brian Hoyer completed 28-of-36 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns, and the Chicago Bears held on for a 17-14 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal caught seven passes for 111 yards and a touchdown for the Bears. Running back Jordan Howard added 111 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards in his first career start.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 23-of-36 passes for 213 yards and two interceptions. Wide receiver Marvin Jones hauled in five receptions for 74 yards.
Chicago (1-3) earned its first victory at home since Oct. 4, 2015. Before Sunday, the Bears had dropped six consecutive games and 11 of their past 12 at Soldier Field.
Detroit (1-3) lost its third game in a row and fell to the Bears for the first time since Dec. 30, 2012. The Lions were outgained 409-263 in total yards by the Bears.
After struggling in the first half, the Lions quickly marched down the field to start the second half. But Detroit's drive stalled at the 1-yard line as running backs Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner failed to find the end zone. The Lions settled for a 21-yard field goal by Matt Prater to cut the deficit to 7-6.
Chicago increased its lead to 14-6 when Hoyer connected with tight end Zach Miller for a 6-yard touchdown with 3:34 to go in the third quarter. The play marked Miller's third touchdown catch in the past two weeks.
Bears kicker Connor Barth made it 17-6 with a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
An 85-yard punt return for a touchdown by Andre Roberts pulled Detroit within 17-14 with 1:52 to play. Stafford found wide receiver Golden Tate for a two-point conversion after Roberts' touchdown.
Moments later, Bears linebacker Sam Acho recovered an onside kick to squash the comeback effort.
The Bears opened the scoring on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Hoyer to Royal with 6:35 left in the first quarter. Hoyer rolled to his right and fired a spiral to Royal, who made a leaping catch.
Detroit made it 7-3 on a 50-yard field goal by Prater with 2:19 remaining before halftime.
NOTES: Bears QB Brian Hoyer started his second straight game in place of QB Jay Cutler, who remained out because of a sprained right thumb. ... Lions TE Eric Ebron went to the locker room in the first quarter because of a right knee and ankle injury, but he returned to the game before halftime. Ebron appeared to twist his leg in a pile as he tried to block during a running play. ... Bears RB Jeremy Langford (ankle) and RB Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) both were listed as inactive. ... Lions RB Dwayne Washington left the game in the second quarter because of an ankle injury. ... Bears WR Kevin White walked off the field under his own power after injuring his ankle in the third quarter.