By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s playoff hopes could run straight through a familiar face — and a divisional rival gaining steam.
A Tight NFC North Race Comes Down to Familiar Foes
The NFC North has turned into a pressure cooker, and for the Detroit Lions, the path to postseason football may require settling an old score. Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson — once the creative engine behind Detroit’s offense — now stands between his former team and the playoff finish line.
While Chicago and Detroit both chase positioning in the NFC playoff picture, the Bears’ situation grew tense after their Week 14 setback against the surging Green Bay Packers. That loss put Chicago in a direct battle with the Lions for second place in the division and possibly the conference’s final postseason slot.
Detroit hasn’t had it easy either. Their remaining schedule is among the league’s toughest, headlined by an impending showdown with the NFC’s current top seed, the Los Angeles Rams. A victory there would resurrect Detroit’s playoff confidence — and set the stage for a revenge tour fans have waited months to see.
A Chance for Redemption Before the Final Whistle
If Detroit can topple the Rams in Week 15, the postseason picture sharpens. A third shot at redeeming their two losses to Green Bay would remain a tantalizing possibility, but that grudge match must wait. The first stop on the potential revenge train lies in Week 18 — against the Bears and their head coach, Ben Johnson.
Detroit’s regular-season finale in Chicago could become a do-or-die moment. By that point, the standings will be nearly cemented, and both teams may enter the matchup with playoff fate on the line. For the Lions, the narrative writes itself: a chance to close the season by knocking off the very coach who once helped craft their offensive identity.
Johnson’s Candid Words Add Fuel to the Fire
Johnson hasn’t shied away from scrutinizing his team’s performance, particularly their passing game. His recent critique of Chicago’s offensive inconsistencies raised eyebrows — especially as his comments seemed to sidestep a strong endorsement of quarterback Caleb Williams.
Johnson remarked that the Bears have been winning “in spite of” their passing game, not because of it, stressing the need for fundamental improvement.
“We gotta fundamentally be correct. The primary receiver, when he’s open, we’ve got to make sure we hit him,” Johnson said. He continued by emphasizing better execution across the receiving corps: “We need to be more disciplined in our route detail. It’s not where it needs to be. Our depth’s not proper all the time. Our steps [aren’t]. Everybody has a role to play to get this pass game cleaned up. It’s not where it needs to be. We’re, not because of it and none of us are pleased with that right now.”
With Chicago winning five of its last six despite these issues, Week 18 could carry a level of intensity the rivalry hasn’t seen in years.
A Final Battle That Could Define the Lions’ Season
For the Lions, everything may come down to the season’s last Sunday. A postseason berth. A chance at redemption. A shot at silencing the very coach who once helped build them up.
If Detroit’s road to January truly requires payback against Ben Johnson, they’ll have to earn it the hard way — on the field, with the season hanging in the balance.