Lions Pull Off Another Inside Job, 16-6 : NFC: Detroit takes advantage of six turnovers by Bears and improves to 9-0 in domed stadiums.

It was a game of hard hits and turnovers, the kind of game the Chicago Bears usually win.

Only this time the Bears committed the turnovers, and the Detroit Lions took advantage of six mistakes for a 16-6 victory Thursday that put them in a first-place tie with the Bears in the NFC Central Division.

“We played one of the better games I can remember us playing in the time I’ve been here,” Lion Coach Wayne Fontes said. “We’re playing Chicago-style ball the last few weeks. We’re playing very good defense, getting ahead and then seeing if the other team will make some errors.”

The Lions (9-4), who have won all nine games they have played indoors this season, could produce only 208 yards on offense. But their defense intercepted four of Jim Harbaugh’s passes and recovered two fumbles.

“Turnovers hurt us like crazy,” Bear Coach Mike Ditka said. “It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen in the history of football.

“We didn’t play well. Just look at the mistakes we made. We took points away from ourselves, and that’s what I’m upset about.”

The Bears, who lost their second consecutive game, rolled up 319 yards and controlled the ball for 33 minutes 50 seconds. But Chicago, which entered the game with 22 turnovers, could not overcome the mistakes.

“That’s a copout to score six points,” Ditka said. “These guys are paid to play and focus on football and we weren’t focused.”

Erik Kramer threw a nine-yard scoring pass to Robert Clark in the first quarter, and Eddie Murray kicked three field goals, the final one from 37 yards with 2:50 left, to pace the Lions. Murray’s other field goals were from 21 and 50 yards.

Barry Sanders, who ran for 220 yards and four touchdowns four days ago against Minnesota, was held to 62 yards in 19 carries by the Bears.

The last time the Lions were 9-4 was 1970, when the team coached by Joe Schmidt finished 10-4 and lost a 5-0 playoff game to the Dallas Cowboys. That 1970 team won its final five games to earn a wild-card berth.

“It feels good to be where we are right now,” Fontes said. “But this game puts us in the division race, not the playoff race. We have the chance to win our division.”

Mistakes plagued the Bears from the start.

Trailing 13-6 in the fourth quarter, the Bears drove from their 18 to their 47 where they had a second and eight. But Harbaugh’s pass intended for Dennis Gentry was intercepted at midfield by George Jamison.

The linebacker started to run upfield and fumbled, but the ball was picked up by teammate Melvin Jenkins at the 35 and he carried it to the Bears’ 20.

“It was a very frustrating game for me,” Harbaugh said. “I didn’t make the plays and couldn’t get it in the end zone.”

The Lions, who had two first downs in the second half, could move the ball only one yard. But that was enough for Murray’s third field goal.

Kevin Butler kicked field goals of 27 and 22 yards for the Bears, but missed a 37-yarder early in the fourth quarter when Detroit was leading, 13-6.

Harbaugh set a team record for completions by completing 27 of 47 passes for 244 yards. He has 235 completions this season, breaking the mark of 225 set by Billy Wade in 1962.

Harbaugh has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of the Bears’ nine victories. When he has not thrown a scoring pass, the Bears have lost.

“I thought I was focused,” Harbaugh said. “I just wasn’t making the plays.”

Kramer completed nine of 27 passes for 108 yards, with one interception.

The Lions, who have yet to win outdoors, play host to the New York Jets on Dec. 8 in the Silverdome, then close out the regular season at Green Bay and Buffalo.

The Bears, who had won their three previous dome games this season, meet the Packers and Tampa Bay at Soldier Field, then complete the regular season at San Francisco.

“Chicago was banged up, but we were banged up, too,” Fontes said. “But we beat a fine, well-coached football team. They’re the best we’ve played all year.”

Harbaugh rushed for 40 yards in six carries, and Neal Anderson gained 45 yards in 13 carries for the Bears.

It was an emotional victory for the Lions, playing their second game since offensive lineman Mike Utley was paralyzed from the chest down after suffering an injury against the Rams.

Before the game, offensive tackle Lomas Brown read a message to Utley on national television.

“You’re still as big a part of this team as you ever were,” Brown said in his message. “Keep the faith.”

Fontes, in the locker room, said: “Mike if you’re still watching, God bless you. Have a happy Thanksgiving.”