3 Takeaways from Bears' Week 14 Win vs. Lions

The Chicago Bears got an opportunity on Sunday to get a little revenge on the rival Detroit Lions, and they did exactly that.

Chicago came close to upsetting the Lions in their Week 11 meeting, but its defense couldn't put the game away. Detroit overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit in that one.

This week, though, the Bears put the clamps on Detroit in the second half, turning a three-point halftime deficit into a 28-13 victory.

Chicago moved to 5-8 with the win, and while it's probably too late to make a surprise playoff run, it has won three of its last four and can build momentum heading into 2024.

Here are our biggest takeaways from the Bears' Week 14 win over the Lions.

Bears Defense Is Coming Together

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Bears CB Jaylon Johnson intercepts a pass intended for Lions TE Sam LaPorta

We saw quarterback Justin Fields and the Bears offense do plenty of good things against the Jets in the first meeting. We saw some good things from the defense too, including three interceptions of Jared Goff.

However, when it was time for the Lions to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, the Chicago defense couldn't rise to the occasion. It was a different story on Sunday, as the Bears blanked Detroit after intermission.

For the game, the Bears held Detroit to 267 total yards, 13 first downs and 13 points. Goff was picked off twice, and Chicago forced three turnovers in the win.

This wasn't a one-off. We've seen the Bears defense make positive strides over the second half of the season, and it has allowed an average of only 18.2 points over the last five games—and only 23 total points over the last two.

Though Chicago came into Sunday ranked 27th in points allowed, it has shown recently that it has some solid defensive pieces that can help down the stretch and give the Bears a solid foundation in 2024.

DJ Moore Trade Continues to Pay Dividends

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DJ Moore

The Bears got another strong performance from Fields, but Chicago's other big offensive star on Sunday was wideout DJ Moore.

The 26-year-old finished with 68 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. He also carried three times for 20 yards and his first career rushing touchdown. It was just the latest example of how general manager Ryan Poles nailed it when he demanded Moore from the Carolina Panthers in that pivotal pre-draft trade for the No. 1 overall pick.

"There were a lot of different scenarios but that was one (trading for Moore) I was convicted about, for sure," Poles told The Rich Eisen Show in August.

Getting Moore instead of, say, an additional draft pick was huge because it gave Chicago, and Fields, a proven No. 1-caliber receiver. He continues to show that he's capable of filling that role, and he and Fields have developed quite a chemistry.

In Chicago's last win, a 12-10 defensive battle against the Minnesota Vikings, Moore caught 11 passes for 114 yards and went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. He wasn't as prolific in the passing game this week, but he did plenty to keep Detroit's defense off-balance and to get the win.

Justin Fields Making It Difficult to Consider a Different QB in 2024

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Justin Fields

While Fields wasn't perfect, he did more than enough, both as a runner and a passer. He finished 19-of-33 for 223 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 58 yards and another score.

Over his last six games, the Ohio State product has thrown for 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions while posting a 3-3 record. He still represents an elite rushing threat, but he has started to answer questions about his ability to win from the pocket.

This was a question Chicago needed to answer because it owns Carolina's 2024 first-round pick. That's trending to be the No. 1 overall selection, which could mean a shot at a QB prospect like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

However, Fields' recent play will make it difficult to justify moving on for any QB prospect who is unproven at the pro level. Fields is showing that Chicago can win—and beat quality teams like Detroit—with him under center.

If Fields doesn't reverse course over the final month, Chicago may be far more interested in targeting players to put around Fields instead of one to replace him. Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.—the top prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board and a potentially perfect complement to Moore—should top the Bears' wish list.