DETROIT _ The Detroit Lions did it again _ but not without a few tense moments.
The Lions won for the ninth time this season in come-from-behind fashion Sunday as Matthew Stafford scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 3:17 to play to beat the Chicago Bears, 20-17.
Stafford atoned for two fourth-quarter interceptions, the second of which was returned 24 yards for a touchdown one series earlier, with his scramble, and the Lions came up with a big defensive stop to end the game after two Bears holding penalties.
At 9-4, the Lions remain alone in first place in the NFC North awaiting the results of Sunday's late-afternoon game between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
If the Packers win, the Lions will hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs with three games to play.
Stafford completed 21 of 35 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown, and played most of the game with a glove on his throwing hand after he injured his right middle finger in the first quarter.
Stafford did not appear to have his usual zip on many of his passes, and he threw two interceptions against the Bears for the second time this year.
On the season, Stafford has thrown seven interceptions, four against Chicago.
Cre'Von LeBlanc jumped an out route to Anquan Boldin with just over 7 minutes to play and returned the turnover untouched down the sideline to give the Bears a 17-13 lead.
The Lions drove 76 yards on seven plays on the ensuing possession to take the lead.
Anquan Boldin, who passed Andre Johnson for 10th place on the NFL's all-time receptions list, had a 23-yard gain on second-and-12 early in the drive, and the Lions got a first-and-goal at the 7-yard line after a pass interference penalty on cornerback Bryce Callahan.
Stafford avoided a sack from Mitch Unrein on second-and-goal, then weaved his way through four Bears defenders en route to the end zone.
The Bears (3-1) twice appeared to reach field-goal territory on their next possession, but back-to-back holding penalties by Charles Leno and Ted Larsen put them in a first-and-30.
Matt Barkley completed two short passes after an incompletion, and Darius Slay broke up a throw to Josh Bellamy on fourth-and-11 to clinch the win.
The Lions now play back-to-back road games against the New York Giants (8-4) and Dallas Cowboys (11-1) with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. The Lions close the season at home against the Packers.
Dwayne Washington ran for a career-high 64 yards on 16 carries for the Lions.
Barkley was 20-for-32 passing for 212 yards and one touchdown for the Bears.
