Matthew Stafford heaved a bomb to Calvin Johnson that set up the Lions' game-winning overtime field goal for Detroit's first win of the season. Here is what you need to know about the 37-34 Lions win over the Chicago Bears:
- Matthew Stafford played a fantastic first half after being benched last week, throwing three touchdowns. Finally getting protection, Stafford looked comfortable and at his best playing playground football. For the first time in weeks, he didn't stare at the pass rush and made throws under pressure. The signal-caller began to crumble in the second half as the Lions reverted to their obnoxious horizontal offense, including a horrific flip pass for an interception. Stafford's big throws late in the fourth quarter and on the game-winning drive were reminiscent of his end-game magic from in 2014.
- The Bears used three second-half turnovers to put up 18 points. Jay Cutler continues to look comfortable in Adam Gase's offense. His mobility in the pocket flashes each week. In Detroit, he alluded multiple rushes for big plays down field. Still, it was a sloppy game for Chicago's offense. Cutler threw a terrible end zone pick and long drives continually stalled in the red zone. Chicago left a ton of points on the field.
- Lions fans wanted to see Calvin Johnson targeted deep more. They finally got their wish Sunday with Megatron seeing multiple deep shots, including a 57-yarder in overtime to set up the win. There is no excuse for Detroit not to give Johnson chances to make big plays downfield. It was Megatron's first 100-yard game of the season (six catches for 166 yards, TD)
- Alshon Jeffery's return was huge for Cutler. The big-bodied receiver provided the quarterback a bailout option and a much-needed red zone target. Almost single-handedly, he got the Bears in field-goal range to tie the game at the end of regulation. Jeffery's leaping 11-yard touchdown snag early in the fourth quarter is what Chicago's offense has been missing without the go-to target.
- Ameer Abdullah ran well early, but left in the second half with a stinger following a fumble. The injury kept him out of the game until overtime. Theo Riddick carried the load in the fourth quarter and overtime. Riddick was elusive out of the backfield and displays good patience setting up blocks in the ground game. He should have a bigger role moving forward, eating heavily into Abdullah's snaps. Zach Zenner left with a chest injury.
- John Fox and Jim Caldwell played an infuriatingly insufferable game of chicken to see who could coach the most conservative game. The viewers lost. The world deserves better. The world ... deserves better.
