Ben Johnson who? Lions drop 52 on Bears, demolishing former offensive coordinator in return to Ford Field
Detroit — The sky isn’t falling, the offense can still sizzle, and Ben Johnson's departure isn’t the end of the world. The Detroit Lions proved all three in a 52-21 demolition of the Chicago Bears in Sunday’s home opener at Ford Field.
Taking the game’s opening kickoff, the Lions offense set the tone on the first offensive snap with a 34-yard pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, marking a longer gain than anything the unit produced against the Green Bay Packers last week.
It wasn't necessarily smooth sailing start to finish. There were some bumps in the road in the opening half, including a failure to net any points on back-to-back takeaways in the second quarter. However, a momentum-swinging officiating blunder at the end of the first half allowed the Lions (1-1) to score a touchdown two seconds before the break, taking a 28-14 lead into the locker room.
That began a stretch of six consecutive scoring drives, including five touchdowns, as they pulled away from the Bears (0-2) in Johnson’s return to Detroit after three highly successful years as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Game ball
Yes, Goff was nearly perfect and St. Brown scored three times, but given the criticism offensive coordinator John Morton took following the team’s less-than-stellar showing in Green Bay, he’s the easy answer.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 12:13 — The Lions needed one snap to deliver a longer gain than they had in Week 1 as Goff connected with St. Brown on a crossing pattern for 34 yards. Three consecutive handoffs to Jahmyr Gibbs put the finishing touches on an impressive five-play scoring drive to open the contest, with the back racing around the left edge for a 6-yard touchdown. LIONS 7, BEARS 0
● 8:30 — It wasn’t as smooth as the Lions’ opening possession, but the result was the same. The Bears converted on third down twice, including third-and-9 in the red zone, with receiver Rome Odunze going uncovered on a crossing route to beat Detroit’s blitz for a 20-yard score. LIONS 7, BEARS 7
● 2:39 — After the two sides traded punts, the Lions took advantage of starting a drive at midfield, working it into the end zone in four plays. St. Brown came up with another explosive gain, running an 18-yard dig route and rumbling another 14 yards after the catch before getting dropped at the 1-yard line. David Montgomery did the rest, powering it up the gut for the touchdown. LIONS 14, BEARS 7
Second quarter
● 4:48 - The Lions did damage on the ground, with some mixed in creativity, including a third-down handoff to St. Brown and an end-around to Kalif Raymond. After six consecutive runs, capped with gains of 19 and 11 for Montgomery and Gibbs, Goff connected with tight end Brock Wright out of play-action for an 8-yard touchdown. LIONS 21, BEARS 7
● 1:55 — It was a big series for Odunze, who made tough grabs for gains of 21 and 16 yards on back-to-back snaps. Then, after Chicago secured first-and-goal after converting third-and-short with a designed run for Williams, the QB rolled left and found Odunze for a third time on the series, a 6-yard touchdown to slice Detroit’s lead to a score. LIONS 21, BEARS 14
● 0:02 — Something needed to be seen to be believed: The Lions benefited from the 10-second run-off rule after Isaac TeSlaa hauled in a deep ball at the 2-yard line, but couldn’t get out of bounds with 16 seconds remaining.
However, the official closest to the play ruled TeSlaa out of bounds while the clock operated kept time running. That forced a booth review, which confirmed the receiver was in-bounds, but gave the Lions one more snap with six seconds after the run-off. With the bonus play, Goff hit St. Brown on a short out route for six, giving the Lions a two-touchdown advantage at the break. LIONS 28, BEARS 14
Third quarter
● 10:39 — The Lions replicated their game-opening drive with a big gain on a crossing pattern to kickstart the offense's first possession of the third quarter. Jameson Williams took the ball in space and raced 64 yards to Chicago’s 12-yard line. However, a loss of 11 by Gibbs, after he spun free of an initial tackle attempt, squashed hopes of another touchdown. The Lions settled for a 34-yard field goal to push the lead to three scores. LIONS 31, BEARS 14
● 6:22 — The rout is on. Gifted a short field by the defense after a turnover on downs, Goff found Williams wide open on a deep shot down the middle for a 44-yard touchdown. LIONS 38, BEARS 14
Fourth quarter
● 14:56 — Fueled by a 42-yard Gibbs run, the Lions found the end zone on the first snap of the fourth frame. Goff connected with St. Brown for a second score, this one a back-shoulder ball on a wheel route from the right slot from 8 yards out. LIONS 45, BEARS 14
● 11:45 — What would have been Terrion Arnold’s first career interception was wiped off the books when Branch made contact with the quarterback’s head on a blitz. Capitalizing on the second chance following the penalty, the Bears punched it in three plays later with a 3-yard run by D’Andre Swift. LIONS 45, BEARS 21
● 11:45 — Following a failed onside kick for Chicago, Detroit grabbed the dagger. Instead of taking a chip shot field goal deep in the red zone, the Lions went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Running play-action, Goff found St. Brown again, in the right flat out of motion. LIONS 52, BEARS 21
Turnovers
● With the Bears driving late in the first quarter, running back D’Andre Swift took a handoff and was hunting for room around the left side. Safety Brian Branch filled the lane, put a helmet on the ball and forced a fumble. The loose ball was recovered by linebacker Jack Campbell, ending the threat.
● Early in the second quarter, and buried with a second-and-32 after a pair of penalties, Aidan Hutchinson pressured Williams out of the pocket. The QB heaved a desperate deep ball on the move into the waiting arms of Kerby Joseph for the interception.
Key stats
● Goff missed one throw to Williams early in the game but was otherwise sterling, completing 23-of-28 for 334 yards, five touchdowns and a passer rating of 156.0.
● Detroit’s rushing attack got on track after a dismal showing in Green Bay, racking up 177 yards and two touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry. Gibbs paced the backfield with 94 yards on 12 totes, going over the century mark from scrimmage with three receptions for another 10 yards.
● St. Brown led the Lions with nine catches for 115 yards and the three touchdowns, while the ever-explosive Williams turned two grabs into 108 yards and a touchdown.
● Four different Lions — Hutchinson, Branch, Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad — tallied a sack. Campbell, as usual, led the Lions in tackles, racking up eight stops.
Notable
● Former defensive end Robert Porcher was officially inducted into the team’s “Pride of the Lions” during a halftime ceremony.
● Jake Bates missed a 55-yard field goal attempt wide left, despite having plenty of distance on the kick.
Injuries
● Lions tight end Shane Zylstra was knocked from the game in the first half with an ankle injury.
● Davenport exited in the first half, also with an ankle injury, after colliding with Hutchinson in the backfield during a pass play. Davenport eventually returned to action but exited again after recording a sack, this time with a shoulder issue. He was able to return from that one, as well.
● Late in the fourth quarter, while trying to chase down running back Kyle Monangai from behind, Branch collided with Campbell, causing the safety to go into the air and land hard. After being tended to by the trainers for a couple of minutes, Branch slowly hobbled off.
Inactives
In addition to linebacker Trevor Nowaske, who was ruled out with an elbow injury on Friday, the Lions scratched safety Thomas Harper, defensive lineman Tyler Lacy, defensive tackle Chris Smith, running back Sione Vakie and defensive end Tyrus Wheat.
Vaki had been listed as doubtful coming into the day due to a lingering hamstring strain.
Next game
Detroit will play its first primetime game of the season, hitting the road to battle the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.
They need to throw to TeSlaa more often, so he gets a chance to develop his other hand.
Just read that some lions fans at the stadium started an “F” Ben Johnson chant. This is typical classless behavior on some lions fans who don’t understand that it is a compliment that teams are hiring coordinators from us. Hats off to Goff for saying he didn’t approve.