Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions lost plenty of games in 2021, but these ones hurt the most by far.
An 0-8 start and a 3-13-1 overall record provides plenty of fodder for tough setbacks, and that was clearly the case for the 2021 Detroit Lions. But they were far better late in the season, winning three of their final six games (two wins over playoff teams), and six of their 13 losses were by one score (seven by less than 10 points).
In some games, the Lions were simply overmatched from the start and could never recover. Injuries and eventually COVID-19 issues thinned an already thin roster. Effort was rarely a visible issue, the Lions were just overmatched at times.
Among the losses, these three stand out as the toughest for the Detroit Lions in 2021.
3 toughest losses for the Detroit Lions in 2021
3. Week 12 vs Chicago Bears
On Thanksgiving Day, the Lions had a legit chance to beat the reeling Bears. They led 14-13 going into the fourth quarter. But the Bears effectively iced the game with drive that went over eight-and-half minutes, as the Lions also bungled a last-minute situation on the sideline and the field.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a 28-yard field goal on the final play. It was the third time (and thankfully the last time) Detroit lost a game in that fashion (a final play field goal) during the 2021 season.