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Lions' Calvin Johnson falls short of 2,000-yard receiving mark

The Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson fell short of reaching the 2,000-yard receiving yards mark in his historic season.

USA TODAY Sports

Calvin Johnson's 225-yard performance in Week 16 not only pushed him past Jerry Rice's all-time receiving total in a single season, but put him in the conversation to eclipse the 2,000-yard receiving yards mark.

Coming into the Detroit Lions' season finale against the Chicago Bears with 1,892 yards, Johnson needed 108 more to hit 2,000 for the regular season, and he wasn't shy about how adding distance from Rice's old record would please him.

But against the Bears defense, it didn't happen.

Chicago came away with a 26-24 victory all while hampering the Detroit wide receiver's production. The Lions seemed poised to get Johnson the record, and quarterback Matt Stafford targeted him 14 times. But Johnson caught five balls for 72 yards. That's1,964 yards on the year and 36 yards shy of 2,000.

It didn't help that Detroit couldn't stop coughing up the ball. Stafford fumbled the ball twice to kill drives and threw one interception. Running back Joique Bell also lost a fumble.