Chicago Bears lose to Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving after clock runs out on final play

Fans find ways to be thankful, eat feelings away at watch party after Bears botch comeback

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team, Dionne Miller, and Maher Kawash WLS logo
Friday, November 29, 2024 1:11PM
Bears lose to Lions on Thanksgiving after clock runs out on final play
The Chicago Bears lost to the Lions as Detroit hosted its annual Thanksgiving game Thursday after the clock ran out on the Bears' final play.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Bears now have a six-game losing streak after losing to one of the best teams in the league on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.

Detroit have now won 10 straight and sits atop of the NFC North.

All eyes were on quarterback Caleb Williams to see if he could continue the growth he's shown over the past few weeks.

The Bears ended up botching a comeback, losing 23-20 as time ran out on the Bears' final play of the game.

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The loss Thursday was something Bears fans are all too familiar with. The team hasn't given fans much to be thankful for, but people at Edison Park Inn were still finding reasons to smile, bringing the energy at a watch party and continuing their holiday traditions.

"Great environment. EPI is a good place," fan Jay Thompson said. "Neighborhood is good... and we're here for the Bears."

The event was packed with all sorts of energy. There was dancing, Bears giveaways and a sense of community that the fans are taking advantage of.

As the Bears tack on another loss in a frustrating season, fans say they'd be thankful for change on the team.

"Caleb is the guy," a fan named Ron said. "I'm thankful for everything besides Eberflus... let's get him out of here."

Despite the loss, other fans said they're finding joy in the little things.

"We all did the turkey trot for charity... we all got up early and we were hitting it hard," fan Joe Paglini said.

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"We've got a bunch of family coming over this afternoon, but I'm really thankful to be hanging out with my friends today," fan Jeff Hart said.

Even though the Bears did not come through, people were continuing to tell ABC7 how thankful they are for their friends, family and this environment, and now they can eat their feelings away after the loss.

It's been three years since the Bears played on Thanksgiving Day.

The Lions started their tradition of playing on Thanksgiving on Nov. 29, 1934, with a 19-16 loss to the Bears. Chicago had previously beaten Detroit three straight times on Thanksgiving, sending Lions fans home unhappy in 2021, 2019 and 2018.

The Bears played the Lions on the holiday for the 20th time, trailing only Green Bay's 22 appearances in Detroit on Thanksgiving.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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