"I felt like we were playing great defense and I just didn't feel good about having three points in that situation," Smith said. "The worst-case scenario would have been for us not to get it and we still had them backed up. It was a field position game throughout. I'd make that call every time."

Cutler completed 23 of 35 passes, with Forte catching seven for 151 yards. That includes an 89-yard screen for a touchdown near the end of the first half, pulling Chicago within 14-10.

Moments later, Stafford went down. He was hit in the shoulder by Peppers as he dropped back to pass and landed on it, the ball coming loose in the process.

Chicago's Tommie Harris recovered, and the Bears took over on the 37 after a 15-yard penalty against Brian Urlacher with 15 seconds left, setting up a field goal by Gould that made it 14-13.

Stafford had his arm in a sling as the second half started.

Slideshow   Conference Championships action Take a look at some of the best photos from this week in the NFL. NBCSports.com

Rookie Jahvid Best had two touchdowns rushing as the Lions built a 14-3 lead, before the Bears came back. Even so, squeaking by a team with a league-record 30 losses over the previous two seasons probably did little to ease angst around Chicago, even if the Lions appear to be improved. Bears fans are looking for more after a 7-9 finish and third straight playoff miss, but Cutler wasn't complaining.

"It's the first game," he said. "A win is a win, we're going to take it any way we can get it.

Notes: Lions MLB DeAndre Levy was inactive because of a groin injury. Landon Johnson started in his place. ... Lions CB Aaron Berry, who had an interception in the first half, left the game with a shoulder injury. ... Bears LBs Nick Roach (hamstring) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (illness) left the game. Mark Anderson started at left defensive end for Chicago over Israel Idonije. ... Bears LS Patrick Mannelly tied Walter Payton for second on the Bears' all-time appearances list with 190 — one behind Steve McMichael.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 3 games JETS 31, DOLPHINS 23: Edwards returns to makes key TD catch  |    Highlights COWBOYS 27, TEXANS 13: Dallas avoids rare 0-3 start  |    Romo excited FALCONS 27, SAINTS 24, OT: Champs miss short FG in OT  |    Saints explain loss TITANS 29, GIANTS 10: Johnson scores 2 TDs  |    Coughlin takes blame EAGLES 28, JAGUARS 3: Vick makes Reid's decision look great  |    QB thrilled COLTS 27, BRONCOS 13: Manning throws 3 TD passes VIKINGS 24, LIONS 10: Peterson's career-long 80-yard TD keys win PATRIOTS 38, BILLS 30: 14th straight win in series for New England SEAHAWKS 27, CHARGERS 20: Washington has two kickoff returns for TDs CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 10: K.C. 3-0 for first time since '03  |    Chiefs confident STEELERS 38, BUCCANEERS 13: Batch shines in first start in 3 years RAMS 30, REDSKINS 16: Only second win in last 29 games for St. Louis RAVENS 24, BROWNS 17: Flacco fires 3 TD passes BENGALS 20, PANTHERS 7: Clausen struggles in first NFL start CARDINALS 24, RAIDERS 23: Janikowski misses 32-yard FG on final play