Ben Johnson's Bears Refined Since Lions' Blowout

From Lopsided Loss to NFC North Champions

Four months after a 52-21 Week 2 shellacking by the Detroit Lions, Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears have undergone a remarkable transformation. What was once a team plagued by inconsistencies has evolved into a polished, high-powered unit that clinched the NFC North title with an 11-5 record. The Bears' resurgence stands in stark contrast to the Lions' 7-7 slide since that September matchup.

'I'm sure Ben wants to beat our ass,' Lions left tackle Taylor Decker acknowledged of his former offensive coordinator. 'That's probably why he's going to have success.' The rivalry intensity will reignite when the Lions visit Soldier Field this Sunday, but the Bears' journey since that Week 2 loss tells a compelling story of coaching mastery and roster refinement.

Offensive Evolution Under Johnson

Offensive coordinator turned head coach Johnson has orchestrated the most dramatic improvement on that side of the ball. The Bears are no longer relying on raw talent; they execute with surgical precision. Quarterback Caleb Williams is on pace to set the franchise's single-season passing record, while the running back tandem of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai has emerged as one of the NFL's most formidable duos.

Perhaps no player exemplifies this transformation better than rookie tight end Colston Loveland. Since Week 9, he's amassed 506 receiving yards—trailing only Trey McBride, George Kittle, and Kyle Pitts among tight ends. The offense's play-action effectiveness has soared too, with Williams attempting 178 play-action passes this season (second in the NFL) after throwing just 94 in 2024.

'Offensively, they're more polished,' Lions coach Dan Campbell observed. 'The system is in and these little things that were there as problems in game one, game two, they've begun to go away. They've got a run game, they've found a run game. Caleb's playing really well, O-line's playing really well. Swift's running well... They're playing at a high level.'

Defensive Dominance and Takeaway Machine

While the offense garners attention, the Bears' defensive resurgence has been equally crucial. Chicago leads the NFL with 32 takeaways (22 interceptions, 10 fumbles), with veteran safety Kevin Byard securing a league-best six picks. This opportunistic unit plays with swagger at home (allowing just 17.4 PPG), though its road performance remains a concern (30.4 PPG).

Defensive additions like C.J. Gardner-Johnson have paid immediate dividends. The former Lion has recorded three sacks, two interceptions, and 45 tackles since joining Chicago in October. 'They fly around, they play with energy,' Decker noted. 'The biggest thing is they play more nickel, and then they just gained confidence. You see it on film, they're just more confident in the way they play.'

Coaching Brilliance and Rivalry Renewed

Johnson's system flexibility has been key to the Bears' success. While retaining elements from his Lions tenure, he's tailored schemes to maximize personnel strengths—a trait Lions offensive coordinator John Morton highlighted: 'Ben's a great coach. He sees what he has, and he plays to their strengths.' This adaptability has allowed the Bears to overcome early-season flaws and develop into a cohesive unit.

With a victory over Detroit, Johnson would tie Lovie Smith's 2006 franchise record for most wins in a season. For the Lions, the game represents a chance to salvage pride against a team that has passed them by. As Decker summarized: 'We want to beat their ass, they want to beat our ass. If there's bad blood from the first one, that's fine. That's football.'

The Road Ahead

As the Bears prepare for playoff football, their journey from Week 2 embarrassment to division champions underscores Johnson's coaching acumen. The combination of an explosive offense, opportunistic defense, and refined execution has positioned Chicago as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. For Detroit, Sunday's clash offers a measuring stick against a team that has mastered the art of transformation.

With playoff implications on the line and Johnson's imprint evident throughout the roster, this Sunday's showdown promises to be more than just a rivalry game—it's a testament to how far a team can evolve in just four months.