Lions' Stafford Scores Game-Winning TD Over Bears

By ESPN

 Matthew Stafford ran for a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown with 3:17 left after throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one that was returned for a score on the previous possession, and the Detroit Lions held on for a 20-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

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 both were negated by penalties, before turning the ball over on downs from the Detroit 44.

The NFC North-leading Lions (9-4) have won five straight and eight of nine, moving them a step closer to winning a division title for the first time in 23 years.

Chicago (3-10) has lost four of five.

Barkley , in the first road start of his career, perfectly led Cameron Meredith on a 31-yard TD to pull the Bears within three late in the third quarter.

Stafford, who put a white glove on his right hand during the game for an undisclosed reason, was picked off twice after he threw only one interception the previous eight games. Demontre Hurst intercepted Stafford's pass in Chicago's end zone after it ricocheted off teammate Bryce Callahan and receiver Golden Tate early in the fourth quarter. Cre'Von LeBlanc returned an interception 24 yards midway through the fourth to put Chicago up 17-13.

STREAKING

Detroit has matched its longest winning streak since starting 5-0 in 2011, and its best nine-game stretch since winning eight of the last nine games in 1995. The Lions have given up 20 or fewer points in seven straight games in one season for the first time since 1961.

MILESTONE

Stafford threw a tiebreaking, 16-yard TD pass to Anquan Boldin with 19 seconds left in the first half. It was the 1,063 reception of Boldin's career, moving him past Andre Johnson for 10th place on the NFL's all-time list. The 14-year veteran has helped Detroit overcome the retirement of star receiver Calvin Johnson.

Texans 22, Colts 17

 Lamar Miller scored Houston's only touchdown and the Texans defense stopped Andrew Luck on Indy's final drive of the game to preserve a 22-17 victory on Sunday.

Houston (7-6) retained a share of the AFC South lead with Tennessee by ending its three-game losing streak.

The Texans won for the second straight year in Indy, have won nine straight against division foes and got their first sweep of the Colts in franchise history.

It wasn't easy, though, and the Texans expected nothing less.

"All of these games are like that in the month of December," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said.

Luck made it even more challenging by moving the Colts (6-7) to the Texans 42-yard line with 1:24 left.

But on fourth-and-1, a blitz forced an errant screen pass to Robert Turbin and the Texans ran out the clock.

"There are multiple options on that play and I did not make a great decision," Luck said.

Miller finished 21 carries for 107 yards, while Brock Osweiler was 14 of 24 for 147 yards with one interception.

Luck was 24 of 45 for 276 yards with two TD passes, two interceptions and one fumble. T.Y. Hilton had nine catches for 115 yards and a 35-yard TD catch that closed Indy's deficit to 19-17 early in the fourth quarter.

Sunday, December 11 Scoreboard

Pittsburgh 27, Buffalo 20

Tennessee 13, Denver 10

Washington 27, Philadelphia 22

Miami2 6, Arizona 23

Carolina 28, San Diego 16

Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 10

Detroit 20, Chicago 17

Houston 22, Indianapolis 17

Minnesota 25, Jacksonville 16

New York Jets 23, San Francisco 17 (OT)

Tampa Bay 16, New Orleans 11

Atlanta 42, Los Angeles 14

Green Bay 38, Seattle 10

New York Giatns 10, Dallas 7

Monday, December 12 Schedule (Time Central)

Baltimore at New England, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 15 Schedule (Time Central)

Los Angeles at Seattle, 7:25 p.m.

Saturday, December 17 Schedule (Time Central)

Miami at New York Jets, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, December 18 Schedule (All Times Central)

Green Bay at Chicago, noon

Jacksonville at Houston, noon

Cleveland at Buffalo, noon

Philadelphia at Baltimore, noon

Tennessee at Kansas City, noon

Detroit at New York Giants, noon

Indianapolis at Minnesota, noon

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, noon

New Orleans at Arizona, 3:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Atlanta, 3:05 p.m.

New England at Denver, 3:25 p.m.

Oakland at San Diego, 3:25 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.