DETROIT — The Bears blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter for the second time this season, losing to the Lions 31-26 on Sunday as quarterback Justin Fields fumbled the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety at the end.
The Bears were ahead 26-14 with under four minutes remaining before their defense allowed back-to-back quick touchdown drives by the Lions.
That cost the Bears a chance to win back-to-back games and get their first NFC North win under coach Matt Eberflus. They fell to 3-8.
Former Bear David Montgomery finished the victory for the Lions on a one-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds left, and the Lions added a two-point conversion.
In the Bears’ last shot to at least force overtime, Fields got sacked with 22 seconds left and lost the ball. It bounded through the end zone and out of bounds to squash any thought of saving the game.
Fields returned after missing four games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown pass for a 105.2 passer rating and rushed 18 times for 104 yards.
