Keep yourself up to date with the Lions’ 2018 Thanksgiving Day classic.

Stick around as we provide live updates from the Detroit Lions’ 2018 Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears.

First quarter

The Detroit Lions lost the toss, meaning they’d be up first with the ball. However, they wouldn’t hold it for long. The Lions gained 2, 4 and 2 yards on three plays, coming up just short on a third-and-4. But they would quickly get the ball back as Bears quarterback Chase Daniel went 1-for-3 on the opening drive, giving the ball back after a three-and-out of their own.

The Lions were able to string together a couple of first downs on the next drive, but refusing to throw the ball deep downfield caught up with them. LeGarrette Blount could run the ball, and the Bears successfully limited the Lions’ YAC, forcing the third punt of the day.

The Bears would almost exactly mirror the Lions, gaining a couple first downs before a Damon Harrison/Romeo Okwara sack set the Bears behind the sticks and they punted back. The PUNT WAR was on!

After another quick three-and-out possession, the Bears were right on track to punt back to Detroit, but Glover Quin hit a sliding Chase Daniel in the head, giving the Bears 15 free yards.

Second quarter

The first big play of the game happened on the first play of the second quarter, and it was thanks to Lions cornerback DeShawn Shead, who punched the ball out of Trey Burton’s hand.

Jarrad Davis scooped up the fumble and put the Lions in good field position at the Bears’ 40-yard line.

A good 7-yard pickup by Zach Zenner and a 15-yard catch from TJ Jones got the Lions into the red zone. However, after a Blount run came up a half-yard short, the Lions faced a fourth-and-inches. Detroit opted to go for it, and Nick Bellore bailed out a busted play by making a diving catch on a tipped ball.

Two plays later, the Lions scored a touchdown an impressive 4-yard run from LeGarrette Blount, who had his initial progress stopped, but regained his footing and scored.

7-0 Lions.

The Bears would respond. Facing a third-and-13 Daniel connected with Allen Robinson on a big 29-yard gain, putting the Bears in field goal position. Two plays later, Daniel failed to connect with Tarik Cohen on what would’ve been a touchdown, and the Bears had to settle for a field goal. 7-3 Lions.

The Lions would counter with their third three-and-out of the game, giving the Bears one last chance to put up points before the half, and they would convert. Daniel worked his way down the field quickly as he consistently found open receivers. Eventually, Daniel for Taquan Mizzell for a 10-yard score a pick play. Initially, it looked like the refs were going to call offensive pass interference, but they picked up the flag and the score was good. The Bears went for two, but did not convert. 9-7 Bears.

With 40 seconds left, the Lions would have one more chance to take the lead before halftime. However, they couldn’t get beyond the 45-yard line and the half was over.

Pregame

It’s Thanksgiving Day, which means it’s time for the most honored tradition in football: watching the Detroit Lions as you await to stuff your face with food.

For the past few years, the Lions game has actually been one of the bigger highlights of the holiday. Detroit has won four of their past five Thanksgiving Day games, and three of those games were blowouts. The fourth was a thrilling come-from-behind victory against their division rival Minnesota Vikings.

Interestingly enough, the Lions have faced a backup quarterback in three of their last five Thanksgiving Day games, with varying results:

I say this, of course, because this week it looks like they’re going to make it four out of the past six. Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is doubtful with a shoulder injury, meaning Detroit is likely to face backup Chase Daniel, who has only two career starts to his name, despite being in the league for over nine seasons.

Unfortunately for Detroit, their pass defense has been terrible this year, and they’ll be without two key starters on offense: rookie running back Kerryon Johnson and veteran receiver Marvin Jones Jr.

To complicate things even further, the two teams are coming off extremely short weeks and played each other less than two weeks ago.

In other words, who knows what to expect on this Holiday matchup.

Here’s how you can catch Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day classic, which is nationally televised for your viewing pleasure.

How to watch Lions-Bears

Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field—Detroit, MI
TV: CBS (nationally)
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson
Online streaming: Yahoo Sports app
National radio: Westwood One
National radio announcers: Ryan Radtke, Tony Boselli, Laura Okmin
Local radio: WJR-AM NEWS TALK 760
Radio announcers: Dan Miller, Lomas Brown
Odds: Bears by 3