Gritty, weather-driven Cold winds, bitter temperatures and one last trip to Soldier Field stand between the Lions and a chance to end their season with pride.
The Detroit Lions will close their season Sunday on the road, heading into the cold and familiar confines of Soldier Field with a chance to finish on a high note. After a mistake-filled loss to Minnesota officially ended their postseason hopes, the Lions now face the Chicago Bears with pride, momentum and a season sweep on the line.
Chicago in December is rarely forgiving, and the weather looms as a major subplot. Forecasted cold and wind could once again test quarterback Jared Goff, whose struggles in outdoor, cold-weather games have been well documented throughout his career. Ball security, grip and decision-making all become magnified in those conditions — and that leads directly to Detroit’s first and most critical key to victory.
No turnovers.
The Lions turned the ball over six times last week in their loss to the Vikings, the most by any team in a single game this season. Goff accounted for five of them, committing three fumbles and throwing two interceptions. It was a shocking unraveling for an offense that had largely protected the football all year.
Detroit cannot afford a repeat, especially outdoors in Chicago. Turnovers in cold-weather road games often snowball, energizing the home crowd and shortening the field for the opposition. If the Lions are going to control the game, it starts with simple football — secure snaps, smart throws and no forced plays.
The second key is one that traditionally travels well, regardless of weather: establishing the run.
Against Minnesota, Detroit abandoned its identity. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 27 carries but managed just 66 yards, an inefficient and unsustainable output that left the offense one-dimensional. Without a productive run game, the Lions struggled to stay ahead of the chains and placed too much responsibility on Goff.
In cold conditions, the ground game becomes even more important. Montgomery’s physical running style is built for games like this, while Gibbs provides the explosive element that can flip field position with one cut. If Detroit wants to quiet the crowd and control the pace, it must commit to the run early and consistently — even if the gains are modest at first.
The third and final key is something the Lions’ defense has been searching for: forcing turnovers.
Detroit recorded seven sacks against the Vikings last week but failed to generate a single takeaway, a frustrating outcome that underscored a season-long issue. Pressure has been there. Game-changing plays have not.
The Bears have shown vulnerability in that area. In the first meeting between the teams, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw an interception, and running back D’Andre Swift lost a fumble. Those turnovers helped Detroit take control and eventually secure the win. Replicating that defensive impact will be critical on Sunday.
Chicago’s offense has flashed improvement but remains inconsistent, particularly when pressured. If the Lions can convert sacks and hits into interceptions or forced fumbles, they can create the short fields that were missing last week.
While Sunday’s game carries no playoff implications, it still matters. A win would give Detroit a season sweep of the Bears and allow the Lions to end a turbulent finish with a sense of closure and confidence. In a hostile, cold environment, the formula is clear: protect the football, lean on the run and finish plays on defense.
If the Lions do that, they can walk out of Chicago with a win — and something positive to build on heading into the offseason.