LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears faced a crucial test on Sunday as Justin Fields returned to lead the team against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. With the pressure on, Fields had a lot to prove to the Bears' management and coaching staff that he deserves to be their franchise quarterback.

Fields played a remarkable 53 minutes of football against the Lions, showcasing his skills and potential. He displayed confidence, making smart decisions and keeping his eyes downfield. His 39-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore exemplified Fields' ability to make game-changing plays.

Throughout the game, Fields troubled the Lions with both his arm and his legs. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for an impressive 104 yards. It seemed like Fields would secure a signature win to kick off the critical seven-game stretch.

However, in a crucial moment, the Bears coaching staff opted to play conservatively instead of letting Fields continue to prove himself in high-pressure situations. With a nine-point lead and in a position to seal the victory, the offense relied on run plays rather than allowing Fields to take control of the game. This decision not only hindered the opportunity to evaluate Fields further but also cost the Bears the win.

The Lions capitalized on the Bears' lack of aggressiveness and quickly scored to cut the lead to five. Fields was given one more chance to make winning plays, but the Bears' play-calling remained cautious. The team ran basic run plays on first and second down, and only on third down did they put the ball in Fields' hands. Unfortunately, the intended pass to Tyler Scott fell incomplete, leading to a punt.

Ultimately, the Lions completed an astonishing comeback to defeat the Bears 31-26. The missed opportunity to evaluate Fields and the conservative play-calling in critical moments overshadowed his impressive individual performance.

Head coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged the missed chance for evaluation and emphasized the importance of executing in such crucial moments. The Bears' decision to hand off instead of trusting Fields' abilities proved costly, leaving questions unanswered about his potential as a franchise quarterback.

In the fourth quarter alone, out of the 19 offensive plays, only six were passing plays for the Bears. This conservative approach limited Fields' opportunities to prove his capability as a game-changer.

The Bears will need to reassess their strategy moving forward and give Fields more chances to shine and lead the team in critical situations. The loss to the Lions highlighted the need for a more aggressive and confident approach, allowing Fields to showcase his full potential as the Bears' franchise quarterback.

As the critical seven-game stretch continues, all eyes will be on Justin Fields as he aims to prove himself worthy of being the long-term solution for the Chicago Bears at the quarterback position.