When Lions coach Jim Schwartz addressed the media following his team’s 26-24 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Ford Field, he said Detroit came up “one play short” when they failed to stop QB Jay Cutler on a fourth-quarter scramble that allowed the Bears to secure the win.

In reality, the Lions’ final loss of the season mirrored several others during their current eight-game losing streak. It will be remembered for a final failure down the stretch, but it was caused by a pattern of lapses in execution that allowed Chicago to maintain control of a game Detroit could have easily won.

More NFL Black Monday
Related content

Offense: D

Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s effort was a microcosm of the offense’s performance throughout the 2012 season. He threw for a respectable 272 yards and three touchdowns. Those statistics were wasted by his three turnovers in Lions’ territory that led to 13 Bears’ points. Calvin Johnson’s 72 receiving yards doubled his Week 7 output against the Bears, but he struggled to get open down the stretch against the triple coverage he faced. For the first time in four games, Johnson got some significant help from Detroit’s other receivers, but none were able to make an impact play in crunch time. RB Mikel Leshoure averaged 3.8 yards per carry, but Chicago’s early 17-point lead made the run game a non-factor for most of the day. The O-line protected Stafford well, but two Lions’ drives were stalled by holding penalties. Previous game’s grade: C-

Defense: C+

DC Gunther Cunningham’s unit deserves a lot of credit for its performance against the Bears. The unit surrendered points on all four Bears’ drives following turnovers in Lions’ territory, but it kept Detroit in the game by holding Chicago to three field goals on those drives. The D-line collapsed Bears QB Jay Cutler’s pocket well, and forced early throws on several passes, but they also allowed Cutler too many escape lanes to avoid the rush. Detroit’s injury-depleted secondary put forth a decent effort, holding Brandon Marshall to five catches on 14 targets. Their efforts were mitigated, however, by four 20-plus yard completions that cost Detroit in key situations. Previous game’s grade: D+

Special Teams: C-

Detroit’s kick coverage was solid all game. The Lions held Bears returner Devin Hester to an average of 20 yards per return, and he never threatened the end zone. Hester was even less effective on punts, averaging just two yards per return. Punter Nick Harris had a decent game, averaging a net 42.6 yards per kick. Kicker Jason Hanson made all four kicks he attempted (1 FG, 3 XP). Joique Bell’s first half fumble at the end of a long return cost the Lions points, and lowers the unit’s overall grade. Previous game’s grade: D


Coaching: B

Detroit’s offensive playcalling and defensive schemes have been the subject of criticism for most of the team’s current eight-game skid, but Jim Schwartz and his staff aren’t to blame for this loss. For the first time in four games, OC Scott Linehan and DC Gunther Cunningham devised a game plan that utilized the talents they had at their disposal. The four turnovers that cost the Lions the game couldn’t have been prevented by better coaching. Previous game’s grade: D.

Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSLions and @JohnKreger.