The Detroit Lions dominated the Chicago Bears 52-21 in their Week 2 home opener, putting on a show for the Ford Field crowd and making a statement against former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now Chicago’s head coach.
The Lions scored seven touchdowns, forced two turnovers, and executed key fourth-down stops while showcasing their talent on both sides of the ball.
Top two takeaways from Lions’ 52-21 win over Bears:
Jared Goff and the offense firing on all cylinders
Quarterback Jared Goff was nearly perfect, completing 23 of 28 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns with no turnovers, finishing with a QB rating of 156.0.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a monster day with nine catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns, including a key block on a long Jahmyr Gibbs run. New offensive coordinator John Morton also impressed, calling an aggressive game plan that maximized matchups and exploited weaknesses in Chicago’s defense.
Detroit’s running game, led by David Montgomery and Gibbs, added balance, helping the Lions score seven total touchdowns and sustain multiple long drives.
Defense and big plays keep the Bears off balance
Detroit’s defense controlled the game after the opening drive, applying consistent pressure with four sacks and forcing turnovers.
Kerby Joseph’s interception, aided by heavy pressure on Caleb Williams, set up a key Lions touchdown. The run defense held the Bears to mostly ineffective rushing, allowing only 27 meaningful carries for 95 yards (excluding garbage-time stats). Rookie Tyleik Williams also made a significant impact, contributing to both fourth-down stops and pass breakups.
Detroit’s defense combined with timely big plays — including Isaac TeSlaa’s spectacular one-handed catch — to maintain momentum and prevent Chicago from mounting a comeback.
The Lions now sit at 1-1 but have sent a clear message in the NFC North: their offense is clicking, their defense can dominate, and Ford Field remains a tough place for divisional rivals to visit.
Up next for Detroit: Monday, September 22 vs. Baltimore Ravens (8:15 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
