The Chicago Bears entered the new year with the same old problems.
Lack of offense and defense again plagued Chicago (3-13) as the team lost to the host Detroit Lions (8-8) 41-10 on Jan. 1.
The Lions have won seven of their last nine games, earning a shot at earning a postseason spot for the first time since 2016 going into their regular-season finale at Green Bay, ESPN noted.
The Justin Fields-led Bears took two leads in the opening quarter before collapsing and losing a franchise-record ninth straight game. Fields completed just seven of 21 passes for 75 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, according to The Chicago Tribune. Worse, he was sacked seven times. A bright spot was that Fields also rushed for 132 yards, even though lost a fumble.
The Bears will end their dismal season by hosting the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Jan. 8.
The Chicago Blackhawks (8-24-4) also continued their losing streak on Jan. 1, losing 5-2 to the San Jose Sharks (12-20-7) at the United Center on Jan. 1.
The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead in the second period behind goals by Patrick Kane and Sam Lafferty. However, the Sharks scored five unanswered goals (in the second and third periods) after Chicago's second goal.
Chicago will next host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
In men's college basketball, the Northwestern University Wildcats opened their conference portion of the season on a down note, losing 73-57 to The Ohio State University Buckeyes in Evanston on Jan. 1, the Tribune noted.
Northwestern (10-3, 1-1) went into the game ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 55.7 points per game. However, it was Ohio State's defense that excelled in this game.
Northwestern will next play at home on Wed., Jan. 4, against Illinois.