Let’s get this straight: the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions both come into Week 2 sitting at 0-1, but if you watched their openers, you know those records aren’t built the same. Detroit faceplanted against Green Bay in a way that screamed “life without Ben Johnson is going to hurt,” while the Bears lost to Minnesota because, well… we’re still the Bears.
This matchup isn’t just another early-season divisional game. It’s a goddamn drama show. Ben Johnson, our shiny new head coach, walks back into Detroit like the ex who leveled up after the breakup. The Lions are out here trying to prove they can win without him, while Johnson’s scheming to make them regret letting him walk. Sprinkle in Caleb Williams’ rollercoaster debut, Dennis Allen’s defensive overhaul, and a fanbase desperate for something resembling hope, and you’ve got the ingredients for pure NFC North chaos.
Vegas has the Lions favored by six. But let’s cut through the noise: this game is going to be tighter than a Dan Campbell polo shirt.
Why the Lions Offense Suddenly Looks Mortal
Detroit’s Week 1 meltdown wasn’t just a bad day at the office — it was a symptom of losing their offensive brain. With Ben Johnson gone, Jared Goff looked like a guy trying to play Madden on rookie mode but with the controller unplugged. Just look at the receipts:
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- Points per game freefall: From 33.2 in 2024 (best in the league) to 13 in Week 1. That’s not regression — that’s nosedive.
- Goff’s YPA collapse: Down from 8.6 to 5.8. That’s the difference between attacking and just checking down to your safety blanket.
- Depth of target crisis: His passes traveled an average of 4.2 yards in the air, compared to 7.2 last season. Translation: dink-and-dunk city.
- Run game shut down: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for a pathetic 44 yards on 20 carries. That’s 2.2 yards per carry. You or I could fall forward for more than that.
And don’t get it twisted — this isn’t just “new play-caller jitters.” John Morton looked like he was calling plays out of the Madden “Ask Madden” menu. One red-zone trip after another went nowhere (1-for-4). Detroit’s offensive line is shuffled, their rhythm is gone, and suddenly, this group looks beatable.
And Bears fans, that’s the first time we’ve been able to say that in three damn years.
Ben Johnson’s Bears Debut: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
So how did our guy look running the Bears in his first game? Honestly, like a genius who’s still learning the limitations of his tools.
- The Good: We opened with a scripted touchdown drive. That might not sound like much, but when’s the last time you saw the Bears look competent on their first possession? Exactly.
- The Bad: Caleb Williams’ deep ball. I love the kid, but half of his long throws looked like he was trying to hit a drone hovering over Lake Michigan. Just overcooked. He finished at 60% completions, and that number flatters him.
- The Ugly: Penalties. Twelve flags for 125 yards. You can’t win like that. It’s hard enough for a rookie QB without turning every drive into a damn obstacle course.
But here’s the upside: this Bears offense gained more yards than Detroit last week (271 vs 246). Williams’ legs gave us another dimension (58 rushing yards), and Johnson clearly knows how to design plays to stress defenses. Execution will come. Patience is the name of the game here.
The Defenses: Two Very Different Stories
Detroit’s defense got cooked by Jordan Love last week. Love posted a 128.6 passer rating, one of the best of the week, while the Lions’ secondary looked like it was playing “hot potato” coverage. Their pass rush got close but couldn’t finish, and their communication in the back end was a mess.
Chicago, on the other hand, finally looks like a team with a defensive pulse again. Dennis Allen came in and immediately made this group feel aggressive. Lots of man coverage, disguises, blitzes — stuff we haven’t seen in years. Jaylon Johnson’s return should solidify the secondary, though losing Kyler Gordon hurts our depth.
Bottom line: Detroit has the “names,” but Chicago has the scheme. Advantage: Bears.
X-Factors That Could Swing This Game
- Red Zone Efficiency: Both teams sucked here in Week 1. Whoever figures it out first gets the edge.
- Williams’ Legs: Detroit historically struggles against mobile QBs. If Caleb pulls it down and runs, he can keep drives alive.
- Turnovers: Bears had zero last week, Lions coughed one up. That trend continues, we’re cooking.
- Special Teams: Detroit was #1 in DVOA last year. If this comes down to field position, we’re in trouble.
| Bet Type | Odds/Line |
|---|---|
| Spread | Lions -6 (-110) |
| Total Points | 47 (O/U -110) |
| Moneyline | Lions -250 / Bears +205 |
Final Verdict
I’m not going to sit here and blow smoke. The Lions still have more overall talent, and they’re at home with their backs against the wall. Historically, Dan Campbell and Jared Goff bounce back hard after a loss. That’s why I can’t pick the Bears outright.
But here’s the thing: this won’t be a repeat of years past where Detroit runs us off the field. Ben Johnson knows this Lions team inside and out. He knows Goff’s weaknesses, he knows how to stress their secondary, and he sure as hell knows how to make Dan Campbell sweat.
Final Score Prediction: Lions 23, Bears 17
It’ll be ugly, gritty, and frustrating, but it’ll also be proof the Bears are finally building something. You don’t fix decades of pain in one offseason, but you can sure as hell make life miserable for a division rival that thinks they’ve already arrived.
