The Detroit Lions dropped 52 points on the Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon, just three shy of matching the franchise record for points in a single contest. They did, however, set a new mark with 8.8 yards gained per snap.
Still, in the fourth quarter it felt like Detroit might’ve been sending a message. Already leading 45-21 with eight minutes remaining, the Lions faced a fourth-and-goal at the Bears’ 4. Instead of tacking on three points to make it a 27-point margin, they went for it, with Jared Goff finding Amon-Ra St. Brown for their third touchdown hookup of the game.
Was that call aimed at ex-coordinator Ben Johnson, to show they didn’t need him to pile up 50? Or was it more of a league-wide statement that Detroit’s offense remains explosive?
We may never have a definite answer, but Johnson addressed it postgame, and the Bears’ coach didn’t view it as disrespect.
“What should he do? It’s fourth-and-goal, what’s the option?” Johnson said. “He could’ve settled for three. But that’s not their approach. They go for the touchdown. He was simply sticking to their style. That’s who they are.”
And that’s essentially all there is. If Johnson isn’t upset, there’s really no story. The Bears aren’t the first club to surrender 50-plus to Detroit (the Titans and Jaguars suffered that fate last season), and likely won’t be the last. Onward.
