Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
What is the Bears record in Thanksgiving games and how have they fared in recent years?
Steve P.
Texas
The Bears are 19-15-2 overall on Thanksgiving, 6-2-2 at home and 13-13 on the road. They've won their last three Thanksgiving games, beating the Packers 17-13 in Green Bay in 2015 and the Lions 23-16 in 2018 and 24-20 in 2019, both in Detroit. The last time the Bears won four consecutive Thanksgiving contests was when they recorded five straight victories from 1930-34. The Bears first played on Thanksgiving in their first year of existence in 1920, beating the Chicago Tigers 6-0. Red Grange made his Bears debut on Thanksgiving in 1925, rushing for 36 yards in a 0-0 tie with the Chicago Cardinals at Wrigley Field, just five days after playing in his final college game for Illinois.
With the Bears visiting the Lions on Thanksgiving, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the team's top 10 Turkey Day moments he's witnessed.
(10) Miller time in Detroit
Receiver Anthony Miller caught nine passes for a career-high 140 yards in a 24-20 comeback win over the Lions Nov. 28, 2019 at Ford Field.
(9) Super sub leads offense
With Mitchell Trubisky unable to play due to an injury, backup quarterback Chase Daniel passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns with a 106.8 passer rating—and even caught an 8-yard pass from Anthony Miller—in a 23-16 win over the Lions Nov. 22, 2018 in Detroit.
(8) Defense dominates Detroit
The Bears defense did not allow a touchdown while registering two interceptions and five sacks in a 10-6 win over the Lions Nov. 25, 1993 at the Pontiac Silverdome. Trace Armstrong led the defense with two sacks.
(7) Walter runs wild
Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton rushed for 123 yards on 18 carries to help lead the Bears to a 23-17 overtime win over the Lions Nov. 27, 1980 in Detroit.
(6) Porter makes an impact
Cornerback Tracy Porter registered an interception and four pass breakups of Aaron Rodgers in a 17-13 Thanksgiving night win Nov. 26, 2015 in Green Bay.
(5) Trubisky has a day
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 3-yarder to David Montgomery with 2:17 remaining, to lift the Bears to a 24-20 win over the Lions Nov. 28, 2019.
(4) Goal-line stand preserves win
The Bears defense forced Aaron Rodgers to throw four straight incomplete passes from the 8-yard line in the final minute to clinch a 17-13 victory over the Packers Nov. 26, 2015 at Lambeau Field.
(3) Jackson lifts Bears with pick-six
Eddie Jackson intercepted a Matthew Stafford pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown with 6:00 remaining, snapping a 16-16 tie and giving the Bears a 23-16 win over the Lions Nov. 22, 2018 at Ford Field.
(2) Evans engineers game-tying drive
Quarterback Vince Evans forced overtime in the Bears' 23-17 win over the Lions Nov. 27, 1980 in Detroit by capping an impressive 94-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run as time expired in regulation.
(1) Williams produces walk-off win
Dave Williams returned the overtime kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to give the Bears a thrilling 23-17 victory over the Lions Nov. 27, 1980 in Detroit.
Who were the last Bears teammates to each get 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in a game before Darnell Mooney and Marquise Goodwin did it Sunday against the Ravens?
Chuck S.
Lemont, Illinois
The last time that happened was Nov. 11, 2018 when Allen Robinson II caught six passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns and Anthony Miller had five receptions for 122 yards and one TD in a 34-22 win over the Lions at Soldier Field. As you mentioned, Darnell Mooney caught five passes for 121 yards and one touchdown and Marquise Goodwin had four receptions for 104 yards and one TD in last Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Ravens.
I appreciate Jakeem Grant's aggressiveness, but I'm not sure he's always making the correct decision in taking kickoffs out of the end zone. How often has he returned the ball beyond the 25-yard line (where the Bears would get the ball on a touchback)?
Pete W.
Zion, Illinois
I did some research and Jakeem Grant Sr. is batting .500. He's taken eight kickoffs out of the end zone this season and has made it beyond the 25 on four occasions. Chronologically, beginning with his first returns against the Raiders, he has brought kickoffs out of the end zone and reached his own 28, 27, 16, 31, 26, 18, 11 and 22.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
