### **When the Lions have the ball**
The Bears defense no doubt will benefit from the expected return of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson and linebacker T.J. Edwards. Both key starters practiced without limitations Friday and were not given an injury designation for Sunday's game after missing the season opener with injuries.
The Lions feature a dynamic running back tandem in former Bear David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Both players produced at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 10 TDs each of the past two seasons, becoming only the second running back duo in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen expects Detroit to try to establish the run.
"I know that's going to be their mentality," he said. "They have a bully ball mentality. They want to be able to run the football. That's where everything starts with this football team is their ability to run the football, which opens up the play-action passing game. We understand that that's going to be a challenge.
"It's going to start with our ability to stop the run. We're going to have to do a good job there. And then we're going to have to eliminate the explosive plays, whether it be the checkdowns and the run-after-catch … or some of the shot plays down the field. They're effective in doing a lot of different things."
The Bears defensive line generated three sacks last Monday night against the Vikings and will need to pressure Lions quarterback Jared Goff Sunday.
"When he's able to throw the ball on timing and rhythm, he's an exceptional pocket passer," Allen said. "We've got to be able to disrupt timing, whether that be through the rush or that be through the coverage. That's what the whole thing's got to be predicated on is trying to make him uncomfortable in the pocket, and so we'll have a plan for that."
**Key matchup: Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson vs. Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown**
Johnson's expected return comes just in time to face the explosive St. Brown, whose 434 career receptions are tied for the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2021. Allen's scheme is known for its man-to-man coverage, and preventing big plays will be key for a Bears defense that did not permit a gain of more than 28 yards in Monday night's opener against the Vikings.
### **Fun facts**
• The matchup marks Bears coach Ben Johnson's return to Detroit, where he spent the past three seasons coordinating an offense that led the NFL in points per game (29.0), total yards per game (394.8), passing yards per game (258.0), red zone touchdown percentage (66.7) and passer rating (103.1) during his tenure.
• Williams has the best TD pass-interception ratio (21-6) among 28 quarterbacks selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the common draft era through 18 starts.
• Cole Kmet needs 17 receiving yards to surpass Desmond Clark for the third most by a Bears tight end and needs one TD catch to tie Greg Olsen for the second most among Bears tight ends.