The Detroit Lions have become one of the best teams in the National Football League over the past two seasons, and currently hold the best record in the National Football Conference at 11-1 so far this year.
Detroit's game vs. the Chicago Bears was thrilling for both television and in-person viewers as the Lions seized an early lead only to watch rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears storm back.
The Bears had a chance to tie the game late, but their comeback attempt fell short as Williams' last ditch heave hit the turf at Ford Field, setting off raucous celebrations amid questions about Chicago's alleged clock mismanagement.
Detroit and Chicago's holiday meet-up was noteworthy not just for the action on the field but also for the viewership records it broke.
"The early game on CBS between the Bears and Lions averaged 37.5 million viewers," the NFL wrote on its website, "the most-watched early Thanksgiving Day game on record and up +11% versus last year's Packers versus Lions game which was the previous record."
The Packers and Lions are now in line for an additional marquee matchup with the two teams set to square off this Thursday in downtown Detroit at 8:15 p.m. with playoff positioning and the NFC North Championship up for grabs.
