The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have gone in very different directions since their early September meeting, when Detroit dominated Chicago 52–21 in Week 2. Since that game, the Lions have struggled to maintain momentum, finishing 7–7 the rest of the season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Bears, on the other hand, have surged under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, going 11–3 since that loss and clinching the NFC North with an 11–5 record.

 That contrast sets the stage for Sunday’s matchup at Soldier Field, where emotions are expected to run high—especially given Johnson’s history in Detroit.
“I know Ben wants to come after us,” Lions left tackle Taylor Decker said, referring to his former offensive coordinator.

 “That’s just who he is, and it’s why he’s going to be successful. I’m genuinely happy for him. But once we’re on the field, none of that matters. Both teams want to win badly. If there’s any leftover edge from the first game, that’s football.”
Johnson’s Immediate Impact in Chicago
Johnson has already guided the Bears to their first division title since 2018.

 A win over Detroit would also tie him for the second-most victories by a Bears head coach since 2006, when Lovie Smith led Chicago to 13 wins and a Super Bowl appearance.
The Bears look very different now than they did early in the season. Over the course of the year, Chicago has adjusted its roster and roles, resulting in a more cohesive team.

 One notable addition was defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who signed with the Bears in October after spending the 2023 season with Detroit. Since joining Chicago, he has logged at least 40 snaps per game, started six contests, and recorded three sacks, two interceptions, 45 tackles, and four passes defended.

 A More Refined Offense
While individual roster moves have helped, the biggest difference is how polished Chicago’s offense has become—particularly in areas Johnson emphasizes.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is on track to break the Bears’ single-season passing yards record.

 In the backfield, D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have developed into one of the league’s more effective rushing duos. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland has also emerged as a key weapon, recording 506 receiving yards since Week 9—trailing only a handful of elite tight ends across the league during that span.

 Lions head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the transformation.
“Offensively, they’re much more refined,” Campbell said. “Ben’s done a great job. A lot of the issues we saw early in the year just aren’t there anymore.

 They’ve established the run, the offensive line is playing well, and Caleb’s playing at a really high level. They’re executing and playing confident football.”
Built Around the Personnel
Although Johnson’s offense in Chicago shares some concepts with what he ran in Detroit, it isn’t a carbon copy.

 The Bears’ run game sets up play-action efficiently, with Williams ranking second in the NFL in play-action pass attempts this season. That’s a major jump from his rookie year, when he ranked much lower in that category. Detroit quarterback Jared Goff led the league in play-action throws last season and remains among the league leaders this year.

 What separates Johnson, according to Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, is his adaptability.
“Ben understands what his players do best and builds around that,” Morton said. “That’s what great coaches do.”
Defensive Confidence and Takeaways
On the defensive side, Chicago has become one of the league’s most dangerous teams at forcing turnovers.

 The Bears lead the NFL with 32 takeaways, including 22 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. Safety Kevin Byard leads the league with six interceptions, while Nahshon Wright and Tremaine Edmunds have added five and four picks, respectively.

 Detroit has emphasized ball security in its game planning, knowing how quickly Chicago can flip momentum.
“Turnovers tend to come in waves,” Decker said. “If you give them chances, they’ll take advantage. They play fast, they play aggressive, and they’re confident. You can see it on tape. That confidence has grown a lot since Week 2.”

 Chicago’s defensive success has been especially noticeable at home, where the Bears are allowing just 17.4 points per game.

 That number jumps significantly on the road, underscoring how dangerous they can be at Soldier Field.
Since that early-season blowout loss, the Bears haven’t just improved—they’ve evolved. And heading into this rematch, they look far more composed, confident, and complete than the team Detroit faced back in September.