Bears 26, Lions 21

DETROIT (AP) The Chicago Bears made a quarterback change in the 4th quarter that led to a go-ahead score and added some intrigue to a game with nothing at stake.<br/> <br/>Brian Griese directed a 72-yard

Sunday, December 24th 2006, 4:00 pm

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) The Chicago Bears made a quarterback change in the 4th quarter that led to a go-ahead score and added some intrigue to a game with nothing at stake.

Brian Griese directed a 72-yard drive that set up Robbie Gould's field goal midway through the 4th quarter, helping the Bears beat the Detroit Lions 26-21 on Sunday.

Gould's fourth field goal, after Jon Kitna made his NFL-high 30th turnover, gave Chicago a 6-point cushion with 2:50 to go after a drive that starting QB Rex Grossman watched from the sideline.

With a chance for a game-winning touchdown, the Lions drove to the Chicago 22 and Kitna threw a pass into the end zone on the final play that leaping wide receiver Mike Williams got his hands on, but couldn't control in the end zone while being closely defended by cornerback Devin Hester.

Both teams met without much on the line because the Bears (13-2) clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs last week and Detroit (2-13) has been relegated to playing for pride since midseason.

Chicago coach Lovie Smith insisted he would play to win, not to avoid injuries, by using his starters as long as necessary in the hopes of staying sharp for the playoffs.

Smith looked as if he was playing to win by benching an ineffective Grossman.

Earlier this month, Smith stuck with Grossman as his starting QB after he threw 3 interceptions in two straight games.

Grossman responded by throwing 4 TDs without an interception in the next two games, adding a career-high 339 yards passing last week, in two wins that helped Chicago earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

Against the Lions, he had another lackluster performance in what has been an up-and-down season.

Grossman was 20-36 for 197 yards with a TD. Griese was 6-9 for 51 yards.