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Lions football: Was offensive plan vs. Bears smart or too conservative?

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia speaks to the media on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, in Allen Park. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press

Matthew Stafford attempted just two passes over 15 yards in Thursday’s 23-16 loss to the Chicago Bears, a conservative approach that he said was due more to the Bears’ stingy defense than the Detroit Lions’ short-handed offense.

“These guys are a good, good defense,” Stafford said. “To get guys down the field you got to hold the ball and holding the ball against these guys isn’t a good recipe for success.