The Detroit Lions missed Ben Johnson in the season opener. Fortunately for them, it won't be long before they welcome him back at Ford Field, as they'll host the Chicago Bears for another divisional matchup on Sunday.
Johnson will be on the other side of the field this time, but that doesn't mean he can't help his former team out. If anything, watching him coach his first game as the main guy should have Dan Campbell licking his chops.
While the Bears' offense looked sharper, at least in the passing game, Johnson's decision-making left plenty to be desired in his first game as head coach. That's why the Lions should make the most of his lack of experience to get their first win of the season.
Ben Johnson's Head Coaching Debut Was a Tough Watch at Times
The Bears had 12 penalties for a loss of 127 yards in the season opener. That's the sign of a team that still hasn't meshed well together, and a coaching staff that's still figuring out how to bring the best of them and how to communicate and get to the players.
Johnson's decision-making also turned some heads for the wrong reasons. First, he chose to take a page out of Dan Campbell's book by going for it on fourth down deep into the Minnesota Vikings' territory. He was going against Brian Flores' elite blitzers, and, as expected, turned it over on downs. Those three points could've come in handy in a three-point loss.
Still, perhaps his most head-scratching decision came further down the road. Instead of going for a touchback after scoring a touchdown to get back to within three points, he allowed the Vikings to go for a return, and that decision cost him crucial seconds after his defense got a three-and-out. That was right after he watched his team give up 21 unanswered points.
The Bears are stacked with talent on both sides of the field, and the Lions missed Johnson's sharp offensive mind in John Morton's first game as his replacement. Even so, it was painfully evident that he's still a little too raw.
The Lions will look to make a statement after failing to compete in the season opener. They're the most experienced team, and with Johnson most likely looking to be more conservative after taking unnecessary risks in his debut, the table is set for the master to take down his pupil in their first-ever meeting.