Confidence restored for Dan Campbell.
Detroit were humbled in Week 1 by the Green Bay Packers, but hope has been reignited after a brilliant performance in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.
It does not get tougher than back-to-back divisional clashes to open the campaign, especially in the NFC North.
And although the Lions do not retain a perfect record, Campbell will have learnt a lot about his roster’s character.
Detroit have lost to Chicago just once in the last four seasons. Their 52-21 victory last Sunday is the seventh time in the past 10 meetings that the franchise has come out on top.
Ford Field’s fury
For all who witnessed, the Bears heard and felt a hostile atmosphere at the weekend.
Even though quarterback Caleb Williams propelled his side to three scores, it never shifted the momentum.
The Lions came alive in the environment and added fuel to the fire with a Brian Branch forced fumble and a Kerby Joseph interception in the second quarter.
It is a shame to sit here and say that Detroit do not play every game at Ford Field. Otherwise, we would be talking about a side that could go unbeaten all season.
Detroit’s offense back to its best
The Lions blew the Bears away in the passing game with Jared Goff throwing for 334 yards and five touchdowns. It felt almost every drive had a sprinkle of stardust from the 30-year-old, who completed 23 of his 28 passes.
The two scores at the end of the second quarter killed Chicago off. The first was kick-started by a Joseph pick, but fuelled by three rushes before tight end Brock Wright was found open after motion.
Detroit rallied two seconds before the half to extend their lead to 28-14. Amon-Ra St. Brown made the decisive catch just after rookie Isaac TeSlaa pulled in the ball one-handed for 29 yards.
Detroit sat at the top of the pile for offensive points scored in 2024, averaging 33.2. Through two weeks of action, the Lions lie just short of that figure with 32.5.
Sonic and Knuckles
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery elevated their games after a combined 44 yards on the ground versus Green Bay.
Together, they posted 151 yards and two touchdowns, with Gibbs averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
The duo did well to wear down Chicago’s defensive line, allowing Goff that extra split second to read the field.
And when the opportunity presented itself, both carved a hole in the Bears’ defense.
Week 3 opponents
It only gets tougher from here, with a Prime Time trip to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.
The Ravens share the same blood as Detroit: a loss on the opening weekend before a pick-me-up win in Week 2.
Detroit have faced Baltimore seven times, ending on the losing side in six.
Many feel Week 3 is the real litmus test for this Lions roster.
