Chicago Bears on the rise and fall after beating the Detroit Lions
By Todd Welter
![CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 10: Montez Sweat #98 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play during the fourth quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 10: Montez Sweat #98 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play during the fourth quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f1fd4261f1415b16482083ac63725d0279228e4fedd886024c927c7556eb747d.jpg)
Justin Fields
The NFL Network’s Stacey Dales reported before the game that no decision has been made on Fields’ future with the team. A high-ranking Bears official told her the decision is “complex and dynamic” and they will evaluate his entire body of work.
How are the Bears approaching Justin Fields’ future with the franchise? Report here…@NFLGameDay @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/68qINVTrIZ
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) December 10, 2023
If winning games in the long run is one of the criteria as Dales reported, then Fields made a huge case to stay long-term with this game.
Fields got it done through the air and with his legs. He was 19-33 for 223 yards and a touchdown pass to D.J. Moore.
It was an absolute dime on fourth down.
.@justnfields with a DIME to @idjmoore 🤩
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 10, 2023
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/NoIKvw5p2Y
It is the play you want to see Fields make on a free play. He also did a good job of keeping his eyes upfield when he was under pressure. He was under constant pressure.
Fields also ran 58 yards and a touchdown.
.@justnfields takes it himself!
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 10, 2023
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/Fql4Ez4Si3
He still has his bad moments. He was not always decisive. Fields missed some open receivers. There were times when the play was over, but Fields refused to give up on it and took some costly sacks.
Fields did not turn the ball over. Most importantly, he finished off a team in the fourth quarter. There was no costly pick-six. There was no ill-timely deep ball attempt.
The Justin Fields pass chart from Week 14 against the Lions. #Bears pic.twitter.com/tsOSkXJrkX
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) December 10, 2023
He made some good things happen when the play broke down. Fields is far from a perfect quarterback. These past three games have shown he can win games.
The Lions game at Ford Field kicked off a final seven-game audition for Fields to stay as the franchise quarterback. So far, he keeps checking off boxes on the criteria of staying QB1.