Coming off a 27-13 loss to division opponent Green Bay, the Detroit Lions return to Ford Field for their home opener Sunday against another NFC North rival, the Chicago Bears. Both teams enter the contest 0-1 and are looking for their first win of the season.
Last week: The Bears lost to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, 27-24. Despite a 17-6 lead, the Bears allowed 21 points in the fourth quarter to give Minnesota the come-from-behind victory.
History: The two teams have met 190 times with Chicago leading the all-time series, 105-80-5. The Lions defeated the Bears in both contests last season, 23-20 in Detroit and 34-17 in Chicago.
Storyline to watch: Bears head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returns to Ford Field for the first time since taking over in Chicago. Johnson is highly aware of Detroit's passionate atmosphere and knows what's at stake with both teams looking for their first win of the season.
"It'll be a tough environment, that place has really turned into one of the strongest home-field advantage places, I think in the National Football League," Johnson said when asked about returning to Ford Field. "We'll have to be able to communicate within that hostile environment."
Next up:
- Lions head to M&T Bank Stadium to face the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, September 22 at 8:15 p.m.
- Bears host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, September 21 at 4:25 p.m.
View photos of the starters for the Chicago Bears.
Head Coach: Ben Johnson
Offensive Coordinator: Declan Doyle
Defensive Coordinator: Dennis Allen
Special Teams Coordinator: Richard Hightower
(AP Photo/Kara Durrette)
WR DJ Moore
Backed up by Olamide Zaccheaus and Luther Burden III
(AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
LT Braxton Jones
Backed up by Theo Benedet
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
LG Joe Thuney
Backed up by Luke Newman
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
C Drew Dalman
Backed up by Ryan Bates
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
RG Jonah Jackson
Backed up by Kiran Amegadjie
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
RT Darnell Wright
Backed up by Ozzy Trapilo
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
TE Cole Kmet
Backed up by Durham Smythe
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
TE Colston Loveland
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
WR Rome Odunze
Backed up by Devin Duvernay and Jahdae Walker
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
QB Caleb Williams
Backed up by Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum
(AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
RB D'Andre Swift
Backed up by Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai
(AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
DL Montez Sweat
Backed up by Daniel Hardy
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
DL Grady Jarrett
Backed up by Chris Williams and Shemar Turner
(AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
DL Gervon Dexter Sr.
Backed up by Andrew Billings
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
DL Dayo Odeyingbo
Backed up by Dominique Robinson
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
LB T.J. Edwards
Backed up by Ruben Hyppolite II and D'Marco Jackson
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Backed up by Noah Sewell
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
S Jaquan Brisker
Backed up by Elijah Hicks
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
S Kevin Byard III
Backed up by Jonathan Owens
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
DB Kyler Gordon
Backed up by Nick McCloud and Josh Blackwell
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
CB Tyrique Stevenson
Backed up by Jaylon Jones
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
CB Jaylon Johnson
Backed up by Nahshon Wright
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
K/KO Cairo Santos
(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
P/H Tory Taylor
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
LS Scott Daly
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
KR/PR Devin Duvernay
Backed up by Josh Blackwell
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Here are five Bears' storylines to follow into Sunday afternoon's matchup:
1. Ben Johnson looks ahead to Week 2 matchup vs. Lions
Bears head coach Ben Johnson addresses the media on Wednesday about preparing for the Week 2 matchup vs. the Lions. WATCH
2. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson one step closer to game action
Had the Bears conducted a regular practice Wednesday instead of a walkthrough, Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson would have been a full participant, a major boost to the Bears defense heading into Sunday. READ MORE
3. Bears to continue leaning into Caleb Williams' 'superpower'
Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle isn't going to discourage quarterback Caleb Williams from scrambling—not when the second-year pro is so proficient at it. READ MORE
4. Bears defense ready to set the tone in Week 2
Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak and analyst Tom Thayer previews the Bears' Week 2 matchup with the Detroit Lions on the latest episode of the Bears, etc podcast. LISTEN
5. Rome Odunze's rapport with Caleb Williams evident in season opener
Bears receiver Rome Odunze on Wednesday reflected on the cohesiveness he displayed with quarterback Caleb Williams in Monday night's game against the Vikings. READ MORE
