Inform you a secret.
In order for you attend video games and speak to coaches and gamers, develop into a sportswriter. However if you wish to truly watch the tip of video games, stay a fan.
That’s why I let you know now that the Detroit Lions’ 27-23 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday … felt like a win.
It did. It felt, smelled and tasted like a win.
I’m not sugarcoating the stinging loss. I’m not awarding the Lions an ethical victory. What I’m saying is that for many of Sunday, the Lions managed that recreation and appeared to have a victory simply in hand.
Till they didn’t.
Detroit Lions defensive finish Romeo Okwara walks off the sphere after the 27-23 loss to the Chicago Bears at Ford Discipline, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
And most of that occurred late within the fourth quarter, when sportswriters like me are busy banging out our tales that get printed on-line as quickly as the sport is over.
The Lions had a 23-6 lead after the third quarter. Matthew Stafford was taking part in effectively and threw a landing move. Adrian Peterson was spectacular and the operating recreation was clicking. T.J. Hockenson was making massive catches. And the protection had barbed wire across the finish zone.
After the Lions went up, 20-6, on their first drive of the third quarter, I overtly questioned on Twitter if the Bears would possibly bench Mitchell Trubisky. On the half, Trubisky had solely accomplished 40% of his passes and the Bears’ offense was going nowhere.
So I began typing within the fourth quarter. And the Bears began making their comeback. Right here’s my temporary rundown of what the sport felt wish to me in within the fourth quarter as I peered over my laptop computer often.
- Trubisky throws a 2-yard landing move to tight finish Jimmy Graham to chop the Lions’ result in 23-13 with 13:39 left. That’s so cute. They let Graham out of the previous people’ residence to catch a ball. Good for these gutty little Bears. Did Trubisky or Nick Foles throw that?
- The Lions punt. Trubisky throws incomplete, then Trey Flowers sacks him and the Lions practically recuperate deep in Chicago territory. The Bears should punt from their very own 29 with 8:37 left. I ponder what’s for dinner after I get residence. Oh, effectively. Faucet-tap-tappity-tap-tap.
- Matt Prater misses a 55-yarder and the Bears take over from their 45 with 4:02 left. Hmmm. Nah, it’ll by no means occur. Trubisky can’t rating 10 factors in Four minutes. And I like that Matt Patricia wasn’t conservative and needed to attain, then pin them deep with a kickoff. Oh, effectively. Higher file this story quickly.
- Trubisky completes 5 straight passes and the Bears rating in 1:04 to chop the result in 23-20 with 2:58 left. Wait, is that this taking place? This may’t occur, proper? The Bears will attempt an onside kick and this might be over. And even when they don’t, Adrian Peterson has been operating nice. They’ll get a few first downs after which everybody’s headed to postgame happyland.
At this level, I’ve stopped typing. Stafford throws an interception on third-and-5 and the Bears rating the successful landing on a Trubisky move two performs.
Lions exterior linebacker Christian Jones rushes Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky throughout the first half at Ford Discipline on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor and I trade appears within the press field. We each have that “I need to punch my laptop computer proper now in order that I don’t have to start out over writing.”
There’s 1:54 left, however the Lions’ offense has gone chilly. The Lions truly do every little thing proper. Stafford throws the successful landing move to D’Andre Swift. What a comeback! And the rookie is the hero! But Swift drops it with 6 seconds left. The groans from the Lions’ sideline, the coaches within the press field and the stadium staff echo by means of Ford Discipline. The subsequent move is incomplete. Sport over.
Should you’re a Lions fan, this had to feel like a gut punch. Perhaps even a little bit decrease.
For us sportswriters? We’re speculated to be goal and dispassionate. And we’re. However even this will get previous for us as a result of once you cowl a crew that has been doing the suitable issues and has been successful a lot of the recreation solely to seek out itself explaining one other perplexing loss, it’s exhausting making an attempt to make sense of it.
[email protected] and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here's how you can gain access to our most exclusive Lions content. " data-reactid="70">Contact Carlos Monarrez at and comply with him on Twitter @cmonarrez. The Free Press has began a new digital subscription model. This is how one can gain access to our most exclusive Lions content.
Detroit Lions' latest meltdown made me want to punch my laptop" data-reactid="71">This text initially appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions’ latest meltdown made me want to punch my laptop
