The Detroit Lions return from their bye week with plenty of momentum — and a bit of good news from an unexpected source. At 5-2, Detroit not only leads the NFC North but also sits atop several national power rankings for Week 9, including the NFL’s own list. With Jared Goff guiding a confident, well-balanced offense, Dan Campbell’s squad looks ready for the stretch run as they prepare to face the 3-4 Minnesota Vikings.
But over in Chicago, things aren’t looking nearly as smooth for former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now the head coach of the Bears.
From Motor City to Midway Troubles
Johnson made headlines back in January when he left Detroit just days after the Lions’ heartbreaking 45-31 playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. The timing of his exit — and the fact that he joined a division rival — left many in Detroit feeling betrayed. While no one could fault him for chasing a head-coaching opportunity, his departure added fuel to an already heated NFC North rivalry.
Fast forward to late October, and Johnson’s honeymoon period in Chicago seems to be over. The Bears fell 30-16 to the Baltimore Ravens on October 26 — a game in which the Ravens were missing superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite that advantage, Chicago was outplayed and outscored 16-0 through the middle quarters, committed 11 penalties for 79 yards, and managed only one touchdown on three red-zone attempts.
Speaking after the game, Johnson didn’t hide his disappointment. “Baltimore deserves a lot of credit,” he said via the Bears’ team website. “They played tough, physical football — exactly what we expected. But I thought our response would be stronger. We didn’t meet that level today.”
He also expressed frustration with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, mentioning the team’s missed scoring opportunity before halftime: “We had a real chance to put points on the board before the break,” Johnson noted. “That grounding penalty really hurt us.”
When asked about Williams’ costly interception, Johnson replied cautiously: “I didn’t get a clear look. I’ll need to check the film again. Maybe there was another read available on that play.”
Detroit’s Ascent Continues
While Johnson and the Bears are struggling to find their rhythm, his former team continues to thrive. The Detroit Lions have been ranked No. 1 in the NFL by multiple outlets, including NFL.com, where analyst Eric Edholm praised their balanced roster and competitive fire. He noted that Detroit could explore roster upgrades before the November 4 trade deadline but emphasized that the team is already “in excellent position heading into the second half of the season.”
Alternative Fix Sports echoed that sentiment, writing that “the Lions didn’t just stumble into the top spot — they earned it with grit, heart, and swagger.”
So while Ben Johnson’s Bears are struggling to stay afloat, the team he left behind is soaring higher than ever — a turn of events that undoubtedly brings a smile to the faces of Lions fans across the Motor City.
