The Detroit Lions still have a realistic path to the postseason — and it may run straight through a final showdown with Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears.

Chicago took a major hit in the NFC North race after losing a critical Week 14 matchup to the Green Bay Packers. That defeat pushed the Bears into a tight battle with Detroit for second place in the division and for what could be the last available NFC playoff berth.

Detroit doesn’t have an easy road ahead. Their next challenge is a meeting with the conference-leading Los Angeles Rams. Should the Lions pull off that win, optimism around their postseason chances would surge, even with their hold on the division already slipping. A victory would also keep alive the possibility of getting payback against the Packers, who swept Detroit earlier this season — though that revenge opportunity will have to wait.

Before any of that, though, another chance at settling a score looms. If the Lions take care of business in Week 15, their next potential revenge game would come in Week 18 against the Bears and their former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson.

Week 18: Detroit’s ideal chance for redemption

The Lions close out the regular season at home against Chicago, a game that could carry enormous playoff implications depending on how the next few weeks unfold. By the time Week 18 arrives, Detroit will know exactly what’s required to secure a postseason berth — or the matchup could end up being a win-and-in situation for both teams.

Adding fuel to the rivalry, Johnson recently made waves by saying the Bears have been winning “in spite of” rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing attack rather than because of it. With Chicago quietly stacking wins — five victories in their last six games — those remarks didn’t go unnoticed.