In an often sloppy game between two bad teams, Calvin Johnson showed he’s still a great player.
Johnson, the Lions’ wide receiver who has been missing in action for much of this season, caught a touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and then caught a 57-yard bomb to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime as the Lions beat the Bears 37-34.
It was the first win of the season for the now 1-5 Lions. The Bears fall to 2-4.
The game was full of officiating controversies, including one incompletion that turned into a Golden Tate touchdown on review, and another Tate touchdown that was overturned on a questionable offensive pass interference penalty on Johnson. Those controversies will be the subject of much discussion this week.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford bounced back from last week’s benching to throw for 405 yards and four touchdowns, although even in his best game of the season Stafford made his share of mistakes and looked shaky at times. Jay Cutler had 353 yards and one touchdown for the Bears.
Neither of these teams is going anywhere, but the Lions can at least celebrate that the highest-paid receiver in the NFL can still help them win a game. At least once a season.