Bears–Lions rivalry

Chicago Bears–Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears Detroit Lions
First meeting	October 22, 1930 Spartans 7, Bears 6
Latest meeting	January 1, 2023 Lions 41, Bears 10
Next meeting	November 19, 2023
Trophy	Heraldry Shield (since 2021)
Statistics
Meetings total	186
All-time series	Bears, 104–77–5
Postseason results	Bears, 1–0 December 18, 1932, Bears 9, Spartans 0 (for NFL title)
Largest victory	Bears, 49–0 (1941)
Longest win streak	Bears, 11 (1946–1951) Lions, 6 (1968–1970, 2013–2015)
Current win streak	Lions, 2 (2022–present)

100km
62miles

DET

CHI

  

Locations of the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions

The Bears–Lions rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. The franchises first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans and based in Portsmouth, Ohio. They moved to Detroit for the 1934 season. The Bears and Lions have been division rivals since 1933 and have usually met twice a season since the Lions franchise began. The two teams play in the two largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Chicago and Detroit's home stadiums, Soldier Field and Ford Field, are 280 miles apart and both are easily accessible from I-94.

This rivalry is the longest-running annual series in the NFL as both teams have met at least once a season since 1930.

The Bears dominated the rivalry in the early days from the 1930s to the 1950s, when they were a perennial powerhouse team under head coach George "Papa Bear" Halas. Through the 1965 season, the final season before the first Super Bowl was played, Chicago was 47–22–4 against Detroit. However, the series has been subsequently more even, with Chicago going 57–55–1 since that time. This is despite the fact that the Bears have been far more successful than the Lions since that season, reaching the NFC Divisional Playoffs twelve times (winning five of those playoff games, two NFC titles, and a Super Bowl) while the Lions have only reached the Divisional Playoffs three times, winning just one of those games, and have not won an NFC title. The Bears won the only playoff meeting between the two teams, the 1932 NFL Championship Game, 9–0.

Notable rivalry moments

• December 18, 1932, 1932 NFL Playoff Game

• The 1932 regular season ended with the Spartans (6–1–4) and Bears (6–1–6) tied atop the NFL standings (at the time, ties were not considered in a team's win percentage). There were no playoffs at the time and the champion was simply the team with the better win percentage with head-to-head results serving as the only tiebreaker. As both teams had the same record and they tied both of their meetings during the season, the NFL staged its first ever playoff game. The teams were set to meet at Wrigley Field, but the game was instead moved to the indoor Chicago Stadium due to severe weather, and modified rules were used because the stadium was smaller than regulation size. The Bears won the game, 9–0, to claim the NFL title. The championship game proved to be popular, so the league split into two divisions beginning in 1933 and staged a championship game between the two division winners at the end of the season. To date, this is the two teams' only playoff meeting (although the game officially counted in the regular season standings).

• November 29, 1934

• The Lions, having just moved to Detroit, decided to schedule an annual game on Thanksgiving in an attempt to draw fans. This idea proved to work as the game was played in front of a sellout crowd. The Bears entered the game with a perfect 11–0 record, while the Lions were 10–1. The Lions built a 16–7 lead at halftime, but the Bears would score 12 unanswered points in the second half to come away with the 19–16 to clinch the NFL Western Division title. The Bears and Lions have met a total of 18 times on Thanksgiving, all in Detroit, with the Bears holding a 10–8 record in the Thanksgiving meetings.

• October 24, 1971

• Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He remains the only player in NFL history to have died on the field.

• November 27, 1980

• The Bears come back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Bears running back Dave Williams returned the opening kickoff of overtime 95 yards for a touchdown as the Bears left Detroit with a stunning 23–17 win. At the time, it was the shortest overtime in NFL history.

• December 24, 2000

• The Lions entered Week 17 needing one final win over a last-place Bears team to clinch a playoff spot. Despite building a 10–0 lead in the first quarter, the Lions found themselves trailing 20–17 in the fourth. The Lions tied the game at 20 with under two minutes to go, but the Bears' rookie kicker Paul Edinger secured the win for Chicago with a 54-yard field goal with two seconds left, all but eliminating the Lions from playoff contention. This proved to be a franchise-altering moment for Detroit, who hired Matt Millen in the offseason to rebuild the team.

• September 30, 2007

• It was a defensive slugfest for the first three quarters, with the score 13-3 in favor of Chicago. However, starting with a Shaun McDonald touchdown pass for Detroit in the early moments of the fourth quarter, the Lions' offense caught fire, scoring an additional 27 points in the fourth quarter, while still allowing two Bears touchdowns, to stun the Bears 37-27. The fourth quarter saw an NFL-record 48-points scored.

• September 12, 2010

• Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson appeared to catch a touchdown pass late in the game that would have given the Lions the lead, but it was controversially ruled to not be a catch after Johnson was ruled to not have completed the process of catching the ball. Johnson had the ball in both hands, got both feet down, rolled over on his backside and put his hand with the ball in it on the ground. The call was reviewed on the instant replay review, but the "no catch" ruling was upheld. The rule for what defines a catch was updated in 2015, with this play (along with other similar plays) being a large reason for the change.

• September 13, 2020

• In both teams' first game of the season, the Lions led the Bears 23–6 in the fourth quarter. The Bears rallied back scoring 21 unanswered points and took a 27–23 lead with 1:54 left in the game. The Lions, however, still had a chance to win. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford drove his team from their own 25 yard line all the way to the Bears' 16 yard line with 11 seconds left. The Lions attempted to go to the endzone but Stafford's pass was dropped in the endzone by Lions rookie running back D'Andre Swift which would've won the game for the Lions. On the next and last play of the game, Stafford's pass to the endzone was broken up by Bears rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson to seal the Bears' 27–23 come-from-behind victory.

Game results

Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions Season-by-Season Results
1930s (Bears, 11–7–3) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1930 Tie 1–1 Bears 14–6 Spartans 7–6 Tie 1–1 Portsmoth Spartans began play in 1930. Spartans win the inaugural meeting to take a 1–0 series lead, the only time the Spartans/Lions would ever lead the series. 1931 Tie 1–1 Bears 9–6 Spartans 3–0 Tie 2–2 1932 Tie 0–0–2 Tie 13–13 Tie 7–7 Tie 2–2–2 1932 Playoffs Bears 1–0 Bears 9–0 Bears 4–2–2 First ever NFL playoff game necessitated by the Bears and Spartans finishing with identical records and tying both regular season meetings. Game moved indoors to Chicago Stadium, which had smaller-than-regulation dimensions. 1933 Bears 2–0 Bears 17–14 Bears 17–7 Bears 6–2–2 Bears win 1933 NFL Championship. 1934 Bears 2–0 Bears 19–16 Bears 19–16 Bears 7–2–2 Spartans move to Detroit and become the Lions. Game in Detroit is the Lions' first annual Thanksgiving home game. Bears lose 1934 NFL Championship. 1935 Lions 1–0–1 Tie 20–20 Lions 14–2 Bears 7–3–3 Lions win 1935 NFL Championship. 1936 Tie 1–1 Bears 12–10 Lions 13–7 Bears 8–4–3 1937 Bears 2–0 Bears 28–20 Bears 13–0 Bears 10–4–3 Bears lose 1937 NFL Championship. 1938 Lions 2–0 Lions 13–7 Lions 14–7 Bears 10–6–3 1939 Tie 1–1 Lions 10–0 Bears 23–13 Bears 11–7–3
1940s (Bears, 15–4–1) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1940 Tie 1–1 Bears 7–0 Lions 17–14 Bears 12–8–3 Bears win 1940 NFL Championship. 1941 Bears 2–0 Bears 49–0 Bears 24–7 Bears 14–8–3 Bears' 49–0 win is the largest margin of victory in the rivalry history for either team. Lions move to Tiger Stadium. Bears win 1941 NFL Championship. 1942 Bears 2–0 Bears 16–0 Bears 42–0 Bears 16–8–3 Bears lose 1942 NFL Championship. 1943 Bears 2–0 Bears 35–14 Bears 27–21 Bears 18–8–3 Bears win 1943 NFL Championship. 1944 Lions 1–0–1 Tie 21–21 Lions 41–21 Bears 18–9–4 1945 Lions 2–0 Lions 35–28 Lions 16–10 Bears 18–11–4 1946 Bears 2–0 Bears 42–6 Bears 45–24 Bears 20–11–4 Bears win 1946 NFL Championship. 1947 Bears 2–0 Bears 33–24 Bears 34–14 Bears 22–11–4 1948 Bears 2–0 Bears 28–0 Bears 42–14 Bears 24–11–4 1949 Bears 2–0 Bears 27–24 Bears 28–7 Bears 26–11–4
1950s (Bears, 13–7) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1950 Bears 2–0 Bears 6–3 Bears 35–23 Bears 28–11–4 1951 Tie 1–1 Lions 41–28 Bears 28–23 Bears 29–12–4 Bears win 11 straight meetings (1946–51). 1952 Tie 1–1 Bears 24–23 Lions 45–21 Bears 30–13–4 Lions win 1952 NFL Championship. 1953 Lions 2–0 Lions 35–28 Lions 16–10 Bears 30–15–4 Lions win 1953 NFL Championship. 1954 Tie 1–1 Bears 28–24 Lions 48–23 Bears 31–16–4 Lions lose 1954 NFL Championship. 1955 Bears 2–0 Bears 21–20 Bears 24–14 Bears 33–16–4 1956 Tie 1–1 Bears 38–21 Lions 42–10 Bears 34–17–4 Bears lose 1956 NFL Championship. 1957 Tie 1–1 Lions 21–13 Bears 27–7 Bears 35–18–4 Lions win 1957 NFL Championship. 1958 Bears 2–0 Bears 21–16 Bears 20–7 Bears 37–18–4 1959 Bears 2–0 Bears 25–14 Bears 24–14 Bears 39–18–4
1960s (Bears, 10–9–1) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1960 Tie 1–1 Bears 28–7 Lions 36–0 Bears 40–19–4 1961 Tie 1–1 Lions 16–15 Bears 31–17 Bears 41–20–4 1962 Tie 1–1 Bears 3–0 Lions 11–3 Bears 42–21–4 1963 Bears 2–0 Bears 24–14 Bears 37–21 Bears 44–21–4 Bears win 1963 NFL Championship. 1964 Tie 1–1 Lions 10–0 Bears 27–24 Bears 45–22–4 1965 Bears 2–0 Bears 38–10 Bears 24–10 Bears 47–22–4 1966 Lions 1–0–1 Tie 10–10 Lions 14–3 Bears 47–23–5 1967 Bears 2–0 Bears 14–3 Bears 27–13 Bears 49–23–5 1968 Lions 2–0 Lions 28–10 Lions 42–0 Bears 49–25–5 Lions' 42–0 win is the largest margin of victory over the Bears. Lions first season sweep since 1953. 1969 Lions 2–0 Lions 20–3 Lions 13–7 Bears 49–27–5
1970s (Lions, 12–8) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1970 Lions 2–0 Lions 16–10 Lions 28–14 Bears 49–29–5 Both teams placed in the NFC Central after AFL-NFL merger. 1971 Tie 1–1 Lions 28–3 Bears 28–23 Bears 50-30–5 Bears open Soldier Field. 1972 Lions 2–0 Lions 38–24 Lions 14–0 Bears 50–32–5 1973 Lions 2–0 Lions 30–7 Lions 40–7 Bears 50–34–5 Lions post an 11–1 record from 1968 to 1973, including a 6-game winning streak in Chicago. 1974 Tie 1–1 Bears 17–19 Lions 34–17 Bears 51–35–5 1975 Tie 1–1 Bears 25–21 Lions 27–7 Bears 52–36–5 Lions open Pontiac Silverdome. 1976 Tie 1–1 Bears 10–3 Lions 14–10 Bears 53–37–5 1977 Bears 2–0 Bears 30–20 Bears 31–14 Bears 55–37–5 1978 Tie 1–1 Lions 21–17 Bears 19–0 Bears 56–38–5 1979 Tie 1–1 Bears 35–7 Lions 20–0 Bears 57–39–5
1980s (Bears, 13–6) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1980 Bears 2–0 Bears 24–7 Bears 23–17(OT) Bears 59–39–5 Dave Williams returns opening kickoff of overtime 95 yards for a touchdown in the game in Detroit. 1981 Lions 2–0 Lions 23–7 Lions 48–17 Bears 59–41–5 1982 Tie 1–1 Bears 20–17 Lions 17–10 Bears 60–42–5 Both games played despite players strike reducing the season to 9 games. 1983 Lions 2–0 Lions 38–17 Lions 31–17 Bears 60–44–5 1984 Bears 2–0 Bears 16–14 Bears 30–13 Bears 62–44–5 1985 Bears 2–0 Bears 24–3 Bears 37–17 Bears 64–44–5 Bears win Super Bowl XX. 1986 Bears 2–0 Bears 13–7 Bears 16–13 Bears 66–44–5 1987 Bears 1–0 Bears 30–10 no game Bears 67–44–5 Game in Detroit cancelled due to 1987 NFL Players strike. 1988 Bears 2–0 Bears 13–12 Bears 24–7 Bears 69–44–5 1989 Tie 1–1 Lions 27–17 Bears 47–27 Bears 70–45–5 Bears win 10 straight meetings (1984–89).
1990s (Lions, 12–8) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 1990 Tie 1–1 Bears 23–17(OT) Lions 38–21 Bears 71–46–5 1991 Tie 1–1 Bears 20–10 Lions 16–6 Bears 72–47–5 1992 Tie 1–1 Bears 27–24 Lions 16–3 Bears 73–48–5 1993 Tie 1–1 Lions 20–14 Bears 10–6 Bears 74–49–5 1994 Tie 1–1 Bears 20–10 Lions 21–16 Bears 75–50–5 1995 Lions 2–0 Lions 24–17 Lions 27–7 Bears 75–52–5 1996 Tie 1–1 Bears 34–14 Lions 35–16 Bears 76–53–5 1997 Lions 2–0 Lions 32–7 Lions 55–20 Bears 76–55–5 1998 Tie 1–1 Bears 31–27 Lions 26–3 Bears 77–56–5 1999 Tie 1–1 Bears 28–10 Lions 21–17 Bears 78–57–5
2000s (Bears, 13–7) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 2000 Tie 1–1 Lions 21–14 Bears 23–20 Bears 79–58–5 Bears win in Detroit combined with Rams win eliminates Lions from playoff contention. 2001 Bears 2–0 Bears 13–0 Bears 24–0 Bears 81–58–5 Bears first season sweep since 1988. 2002 Tie 1–1 Bears 20–17(OT) Lions 23–20(OT) Bears 82–59–5 Bears' home games were at Memorial Stadium due to renovations at Soldier Field. Lions open Ford Field in Detroit. In Chicago, Lions win the coin toss in overtime, but elect to take the wind and not possession. The Bears score on the first possession in overtime and the Lions never get the ball back. 2003 Tie 1–1 Bears 24–16 Lions 12–10 Bears 83–60–5 2004 Lions 2–0 Lions 20–16 Lions 19–13 Bears 83–62–5 2005 Bears 2–0 Bears 38–6 Bears 19–13(OT) Bears 85–62–5 2006 Bears 2–0 Bears 34–7 Bears 26–21 Bears 87–62–5 Bears lose Super Bowl XLI. 2007 Lions 2–0 Lions 16–7 Lions 37–27 Bears 87–64–5 An NFL-record 48 points were scored in the fourth quarter in game in Detroit; Chicago led 13–3 after three quarters. 2008 Bears 2–0 Bears 27–23 Bears 34–7 Bears 89–64–5 Lions complete first 0–16 season in NFL history. 2009 Bears 2–0 Bears 48–24 Bears 37–23 Bears 91–64–5
2010s (Tie, 10–10) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 2010 Bears 2–0 Bears 19–14 Bears 24–20 Bears 93–64–5 Lions WR Calvin Johnson appears to catch a game-winning touchdown in Chicago, but it is controversially ruled a no-catch. 2011 Tie 1–1 Bears 37–13 Lions 24–13 Bears 94–65–5 2012 Bears 2–0 Bears 13–7 Bears 26–24 Bears 96–65–5 2013 Lions 2–0 Lions 21–19 Lions 40–32 Bears 96–67–5 2014 Lions 2–0 Lions 20–14 Lions 34–17 Bears 96–69–5 2015 Lions 2–0 Lions 24–20 Lions 37–34(OT) Bears 96–71–5 2016 Tie 1–1 Bears 17–14 Lions 20–17 Bears 97–72–5 2017 Lions 2–0 Lions 27–24 Lions 20–10 Bears 97–74–5 2018 Bears 2–0 Bears 34–22 Bears 23–16 Bears 99–74–5 In spite of the Bears' victory in Chicago, that meeting is particularly infamous for Bears' placekicker Cody Parkey hitting the upright four times (two FG attempts, two XP attempts). 2019 Bears 2–0 Bears 20–13 Bears 24–20 Bears 101–74–5 Bears record their 100th win in the rivalry, becoming the third team to record 100 wins over a single opponent (joining the Green Bay Packers who have 100 wins over the Lions and the New York Giants who have 100 wins over Washington Football Team). Thus, the Lions became the first team to record 100 losses to two different opponents.
2020s (Tie, 3–3) Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Overall series Notes 2020 Tie 1–1 Lions 34–30 Bears 27–23 Bears 102–75–5 Bears come back from down 23–6 in the fourth quarter to win in Detroit. Conversely, Lions overcome 30–20 deficit with three minutes left to win in Chicago. Both games ended on game-winning stop. First time since 2000 that the road team wins both meetings. 2021 Bears 2–0 Bears 24–14 Bears 16–14 Bears 104–75–5 2022 Lions 2–0 Lions 31–30 Lions 41–10 Bears 104–77–5
Summary of Results Season Season series at Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Notes Regular season Bears 103–77–5 Bears 59–30–4 Lions 47–44–1 Postseason Bears 1–0 Bears 1–0 no games 1932 NFL Championship Game Regular and postseason Bears 104–77–5 Bears 60–30–4 Lions 47–44–1

See also

Other sports rivalries involving the same cities:

• Bulls–Pistons rivalry
• Blackhawks–Red Wings rivalry
• George Jewett Trophy
• Tigers–White Sox rivalry

Other rivalries involving the two teams:

• Bears–Packers rivalry
• Bears–Vikings rivalry
• Lions–Packers rivalry
• Lions–Vikings rivalry

References

• NFL.com All-Time Team vs. Team Results Archived 2012-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
• mcubed.net's Lions-Bears Series History 1966–present