Ben Johnson's revenge tour was more of a humiliation tour in 2025.
The now-Chicago Bears head coach watched his team go 0-2 against a struggling Detroit Lions squad last season, with one loss to the tune of 52-21 - an absolute shellacking, which is likely not something Johnson loved to experience against his former team. He's a fiery competitor, and losing the opportunity to establish himself in the NFC North against Detroit likely stung.
2026 offers up two (at minimum) fresh opportunities for Johnson to finally get a win over on the Lions, but it's going to be even harder for him now. Detroit's shored up some of their weaker spots, with their offensive line hopefully a lot less porous this year and their defensive ideally a lot healthier.
Bears writer Ryan Heckman can see the writing on the wall as it pertains to Detroit and Chicago's impending meet-up on Thanksgiving day, which will be their first game against one another in 2026. He wrote:
"...the Bears have another short week for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions. With everything that comes along in Ben Johnson facing his old team again, he has to do it on a short week and on the road. That feels like the NFL trying to set Johnson up to go 0-2 in his old building."
Lions could already have the upper hand against Bears
Chicago will be coming off a Sunday game against the New Orleans Saints before heading to Detroit for their Thanksgiving game, so they'll have just three days rest. But, the Lions are in a similar boat, and they'll be even more worse for wear considering they have an international game, a Sunday game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and then this game.
The advantage the Lions possess over the Bears for this game, despite both teams having poor rest time before it, is that Detroit is at home. The Lions have been stellar at home since 2023, going 18-7 since the kick off to that season. And, they've been dominant over the Bears over that stretch, winning six out of their last seven games against the Bears.
READ MORE: Detroit Lions beat writer makes bold 2026 schedule proposition (and it isn't crazy)
There's been a ton of talk about the Bears and their candidacy for regression this coming year. They're going to be a tough opponent no matter how you slice it, especially with Caleb Williams on an upwards trajectory with his development. But, they didn't do much to address their pass rusher room, which puts a ton of pressure on Montez Sweat and Gervon Dexter Sr. to replicate their 2025 production.
On the flip side, Detroit added Derrick Moore through the draft and D.J. Wonnum in free agency, and should get some pocket pressure from Alim McNeill more consistently as he starts the year healthy.
It's hard to imagine a world where the Lions easily roll over against Chicago this year, especially in such a potentially tough division. They'll need as many wins as they can get over the rest of the NFC North, and right now, Chicago offers their best path towards that goal.
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