Sports: Lions Do It Again. 4th Quarter win over Bears, 20-17

Lions

Detroit Lions held on for a 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Matthew Stafford dislocated a finger and tore ligaments in his throwing hand early in the game, but put on a glove and stayed in the game.  But Stafford threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one that was returned for a score.  Matthew Stafford ran for a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown with 3:17 left.  Matt Barkley completed two passes that put the Bears in a position to at least attempt a tying field goal in the final minute.  But the defense made some big plays and was helped by two big penalties against the Bears.  Matt Prater kicked two field goals, which was again the difference in the game.  The 9-4 Lions still lead the NFC North by two games over the Vikings and Packers.  Detroit has won five straight and eight of nine, moving them a step closer to winning a division title for the first time in 23 years.  The Cowboys' 11-game winning streak has ended with a 10-7 loss to the Giants at the Meadowlands.  Aaron Rodgers completed 18 of his 23 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers hammered the Seattle Seahawks, 38-10. The Vikings also kept pace with the Lions, beating Jacksonville 25-16.  The Lions play the next two games on the road against the Giants and then the Cowboys.  They finish the season at home against the Packers.

Monday Night Football

Tonight, Baltimore is at New England.

Red Wings

The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 on Sunday night for their ninth consecutive win.  Anthony Stolarz got his first shutout in his second career start, as the Flyers’ goalie made 28 saves.   Jimmy Howard made 34 saves in his first start since November 23rd.  Howard stopped Pierre-Edouard Bellemaire from the bottom inside edge of the right circle 1:53 into overtime. Brayden Schenn cut in from the left wing, skated across the top of the crease, faked a backhand shot and then slid the puck in for his eighth goal of the season and fourth in two games. Detroit has three more games at home this week, taking on the Coyotes on Tuesday and then the Kings, and Ducks. Then it’s a three game trip south leading up to Christmas.

Pistons

Detroit was blown out by the Philadelphia 76ers….a twenty point loss, 97-79 on Sunday night.

Marcus Morris had 28 points and Andre Drummond finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds for Detroit. The Pistons have not allowed an opponent to score more than 100 points in 12 games at the Palace.

Robert Covington had 16 points and Ersan Ilyasova scored 15, leading the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Pistons hit the road again to play at Dallas and Washington this week.

Women’s College Basketball

No. 9 UCLA easily beat Michigan 84-64 Sunday.

In Division II Football  

Ferris State lost a Division 2 Semi-final to defending champion Northwest Missouri State on Saturday 35-20.

Peppers wins Lott Trophy

Jabrill Peppers of Michigan has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy as the college defensive player having the biggest influence on his team.  Peppers received the award Sunday night from Ronnie Lott at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. It goes to a player with strong academic work, community involvement and team leadership.  The junior linebacker from East Orange, New Jersey, was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and he won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player. Peppers played 15 different positions this season, including linebacker, punt returner, kick returner and had three touchdowns and 167 rushing yards.  Michigan will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund.

Boys High School Basketball

St. Philip at Litchfield

Bellevue at Jackson Christian

Camden Frontier at Climax Scotts.

Tuesday

Portage Northern @ Lakeview on WBCK