Not much to cheer about
A win is a win, but questions won't go away after late Griese-led drive tops lowly Lions
DETROIT -- It's debatable how much difficult wins over the worst the NFC has to offer will matter for the Bears when it comes time to face the best.
A week after needing overtime to stave off the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bears needed two late field goals from Robbie Gould to overcome the miserable Detroit Lions 26-21 on Sunday at Ford Field.
A week after needing overtime to stave off the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bears needed two late field goals from Robbie Gould to overcome the miserable Detroit Lions 26-21 on Sunday at Ford Field.
It's not like the Bears didn't try in a meaningless game with the top spot in the conference already guaranteed for the playoffs. The players who were healthy not only started, they played almost the whole way against the 2-13 Lions, who fought valiantly to ruin an opportunity for the franchise's first No. 1 pick since running back Billy Sims in 1980.
(Carlos Osorio/AP)
1. Bears (13-2) North champ
2. Saints (10-5) South champ
3. Cowboys (9-5) East leader
4. Seahawks (8-7) West champ
5. Eagles (8-6) Wild card
6. Giants (7-8) Wild card
STILL ALIVE AT 7-8
Panthers, Falcons, Packers, Rams
KEY GAMES
Today: Eagles at Cowboys
Saturday: Giants at Redskins
Sunday: Packers at BEARS; Lions at Cowboys; Panthers at Saints; Rams at Vikings; Falcons at Eagles; Seahawks at Bucs
It's not like the Bears didn't try in a meaningless game with the top spot in the conference already guaranteed for the playoffs. The players who were healthy not only started, they played almost the whole way against the 2-13 Lions, who fought valiantly to ruin an opportunity for the franchise's first No. 1 pick since running back Billy Sims in 1980.
''Worst 13-2 team ever,'' Bears wide receiver Rashied Davis said mockingly afterward, a comment directed at no one specifically.
It was backup quarterback Brian Griese directing the comeback that prevented by what all accounts would have been an embarrassing loss even if it would not have meant diddly. He replaced Grossman with 10:10 left and Detroit leading 21-20. The Bears had the ball on their own 7-yard line, and the decision was made it was time to get some reserves playing time.
Griese hit five of his first six passes and quickly marched the offense to the Lions' 21, where Gould -- who had made just four of his last eight field-goal tries over the last four games -- drilled a 39-yarder for the go-ahead score. After rookie Mark Anderson collected his second sack (12 for the year) that stripped Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, Gould added a 44-yarder and finished 4-for-4 to end chatter that maybe he was in a slump.
But the biggest discovery was that Griese, the veteran signed to a five-year contract worth at least $14 million in March, can be counted on in January if needed. He finished 6-for-9 for 51 yards, hitting Mark Bradley with some bullets and showing poise in the pocket.
''It was a lot of fun,'' he said. ''Especially to be in that situation where we needed a score. To be backed up and put a drive together, it was a lot of fun. It felt good to contribute to the team in a positive way.''
It was just as big to see Grossman get through a third consecutive game without a turnover, the bugaboo that had the organization on the verge of a switcheroo heading to St. Louis on Dec. 11.
''We got a lot better,'' Grossman said. ''We got good reps on things like changing the protection and seeing some different looks. Once the game starts, it's an extremely intense game.''
The Millen Man March, the Internet-driven scheme for fans to show their disgust with the Lions franchise by walking out midway through the second quarter, was about as successful as the individual after whom it was named. Maybe a few hundred fans made their way to the exits in a plot designed to bring further attention to the franchise's 23-72 record in the six seasons president Matt Millen has run the show.
The Lions' faithful who remained saw a competitive affair after the Bears took a 17-7 halftime lead on Bernard Berrian's 13-yard touchdown catch and a two-yard scoring run by Adrian Peterson. But the defense that was shredded for 632 passing yards and six touchdown passes in the last two weeks couldn't shut down Kitna, who had no complementary running game. It wasn't over until his desperation heave to Mike Williams in the back of the end zone went off his hands, one of at least four drops the former first-round pick had.
Kitna, who finished with 283 passing yards, threw TD passes to Dan Campbell, Mike Furrey and Roy Williams to put the Lions ahead. The Bears' secondary was without cornerback Charles Tillman, but doubts grow, and the offense looks like it will have to continue producing.
''I feel pretty good about what has happened the last three weeks,'' Grossman said.
''Our defense, for the most part, has played pretty dominant. They've given up some big plays, which is uncharacteristic for them, but our defense is unbelievable. Right now we feel pretty good.''
Said defensive end Alex Brown: ''I don't care if they question us. They were questioning us when we were 6-0. Why wouldn't they question us at 13-2?''