A Crucial Early-Season Test at Ford Field
The Detroit Lions return to Ford Field this Sunday looking to erase the bad taste of Week 1. After a flat 27–13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Lions (0–1) are aiming to grab their first win of the season and their first divisional win against the rival Chicago Bears (0–1).
It is a pivotal matchup, not just because of the standings, but because of the emotion tied to it. Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now running the show in Chicago, and the home crowd will be ready to remind him where he came from. The Lions have not started 0–2 since 2021, and Dan Campbell wants no part of that history repeating.
“It would be big… to get a win, first win of the season, first division win, at home, home opener, the whole thing,” Campbell said. “We’re looking forward to being back home in front of our fans and getting our first win.”
📍 Game Info
Matchup: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
When: Sunday, Noon CT (1 PM ET)
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: FOX
Odds: Lions -5.5 | O/U 46.5
Key Storyline: Stop Caleb Williams from Escaping
Caleb Williams
The Bears offense now runs through second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, and stopping him will be the top priority. Williams looked comfortable in Chicago’s opener, flashing mobility and arm strength in Monday night’s loss.
“You give him any room to run… he will take it,” Campbell warned. “We have to do a great job of bottling him up this week. We cannot let him out of the pocket.”
Williams’ favorite target so far is second-year receiver Rome Odunze, who led Chicago in targets and scored their only receiving touchdown last week. Campbell called Odunze “big, long, physical… with really good ball skills” and said Detroit’s secondary must match his physicality at the line.
Lions Must Win the Trenches
Both teams struggled up front in Week 1. The Lions’ new-look offensive line had protection issues, and Jared Goff (225 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was pressured often while the ground game stalled. Detroit ranks just 27th in yards and 24th in points after one week, including a league-worst 31st in rushing offense.
If Goff has time, he has the weapons to shred a banged-up Bears secondary. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs all return, and rookie Isaac TeSlaa caught the team’s lone touchdown in Week 1.
Defensively, Detroit needs to disrupt Chicago’s backfield timing and win at the line of scrimmage. Campbell highlighted Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat as a force Detroit must neutralize.
“He can do it all… he can play the run, he can set an edge, he can rush the passer… we’ve got our hands full,” Campbell said.
Sweat had five tackles, two TFLs, and a pass breakup last week. Detroit’s tackles must win their matchups to keep Goff upright.
Bears’ Defense Opportunistic Despite Injuries
Chicago’s secondary entered Week 1 banged up, but veteran Nam Wright stepped in and delivered a pick-six. Campbell credited Wright’s instincts:
“He’s got awareness, he’s got ability… those are the things we cannot have happen to us.”
The Lions will need to protect the football. They allowed Jordan Love a 128.6 passer rating last week, the fourth-highest of Week 1.
Historical Context and What’s at Stake
This will be the 191st all-time meeting between these two NFC North rivals (Chicago leads the series 105–80–5). The last time they met in Week 2 was back in 2006, a blowout Bears win. More recently, Detroit dismantled Chicago late last season, with Jameson Williams torching the Bears secondary in a 34–10 win.
The Lions have not lost their first two games of a season since 2021, and all three of their losses last year came at home. A win Sunday would keep them on track in the division and silence doubts swirling after the opener.
What to Watch
Contain Caleb Williams: Detroit must keep him in the pocket and prevent scramble plays
Neutralize Montez Sweat: A tough test for Detroit’s tackles
Get the run game going: Montgomery and Gibbs combined for just 44 yards in Week 1
Limit explosive plays: The Lions allowed 128.6 passer rating to Jordan Love and must tighten up
Capitalize on special teams: Chicago is allowing the most yards per punt return among teams with multiple returns
The Bottom Line
This is a statement game. With Ben Johnson returning to Detroit and Ford Field expected to be rocking, the Lions have the stage and the motivation. A clean, physical performance could quickly flip the narrative and set the tone for the season.