Lions game recap: Lions continue winning streak over the Chicago Bears 24-20

The final game of the season. The last gasp of narratives, storylines, hopes, dreams, dreads and decisions. The offseason is soon upon the Lions

But first, one last chance to beat the hell out of the hated Bears.

Of course, we had to get the First Lions Drive out of the way first. You know the sort: where the offense scythes its way up the field in a manner you'll only see early during a game. Sure enough, Jim Bob Cooter's offense hummed and purred as Matthew Stafford found different receivers nearly every time he threw the ball, be it a wideout or a running back. It would be Tim Wright who scored the touchdown from Stafford's pass, prompting everyone to remember that Tim Wright still plays for the Lions.

The Bears got to work to respond. They started to roll, with Matt Forte leading the way and picking up multiple yards each time he touched the ball. But when they reached the endzone, Jay Cutler's pass was broken up by Nevin Lawson and found its way into the hands of James Ihedigbo to deny Chicago's first score. Ineptitude followed as two sacks on Stafford forced the Lions to punt on a three-and-out, followed by a failed option play on third down that forced a response punt from the Bears. Although the Lions got within scoring range, the 54 yard field goal from Matt Prater fell incomplete.

Time was winding down in the first half when Jay Cutler got rushed by Ezekiel Ansah and promptly threw his second interception to Tahir Whitehead, who returned it to the Bears' 38 yard line to set up the Lions for a field goal. From 59 yards out, Matt Prater hit the record distance and the Lions headed to the locker room up 10-0.

When the Lions came back out, they faffed about and Stafford nearly got sacked in his own endzone. The Lions punted away and the Bears began to go on the offensive, although their first shot would be held to a field goal. On the next Bears possession, Jay Culter found Joshua Bellamy in the endzone and tied the game.

On the next drive, Stafford went Wheels to keep the drive alive. On the very next shot, he found Calvin Johnson for a 34-yard touchdown, all things done in the Johnson way in a bruising and unbelievable fashion. The Bears would quickly answer after Darius Slay limped off on a play, allowing Cutler to throw over Quandre Diggs and then get it to Matt Forte, who would beat Stephen Tulloch for a 23 yard touchdown.

The Lions went back to work. Stafford made a pass to Theo Riddick, then a fake out to Michael Burton, followed by a short pass out to Joique Bell who made it a 36-yard play. This set up a screen pass for Theo Riddick, which took the Lions close to the goal line; Abdullah would set up the play at the first yard line that saw Eric Ebron take the touchdown to go ahead. The Bears would respond with a field goal, despite great field position off the kickoff return.

The Lions shot themselves in the foot repeatedly on the next possession, and the Bears started with great field position that could have turned the game violent and savage for those hoping for a Lions victory in Week 17, the first in a good number of years. But the Bears had Jay Cutler, and the Lions had Glover Quin, and as Ansah chopped down the Bears quarterback he threw it directly to the Lions safety. With two minutes and change remaining, the Lions looked to cap it off. Stafford threw to Calvin Johnson for the first down shortly after the two minute warning, and just like that, victory had been secured.

The Lions have now won the past six games against Chicago.

There's a lot to consume about this season. Disappointment, hope, fury, rage and entertainment. Ultimately, it was an end at 7-9 that no one wanted, but it was a 7-9 born off of an unprecedented rebound. There are questions surrounding everyone -- the coaches, the front office, the players themselves, including Calvin Johnson and his monstrous day with ten receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. But the Lions did the deed and continued their streak over the hated Bears foe. They finish the season third in the NFC North, with their draft pick soon to be determined, but certainly not in the top ten. Which is fine, by the way. The future is uncertain, but this much is known:

#WeOwnTheBears

Megatron breaks it down after the win. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/uquF44exT8

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 3, 2016