When the Detroit Lions host the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on Thursday 26 November, the two men who built the NFL’s highest-scoring offence will once again be on opposite sidelines. Check the latest NFL odds for the Thanksgiving clash, where Dan Campbell has won both meetings with his former offensive coordinator so far.
Six years in Detroit
Johnson joined the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach, two years before Campbell was hired as head coach. Under Campbell, he coached the tight ends in 2020 and 2021, added passing game coordinator duties, and was promoted to offensive coordinator in February 2022.
The results were immediate. Detroit averaged 29.0 points per game across Johnson’s three seasons as coordinator, the most in the league over that period. In 2024 the Lions led the NFL with 33.2 points per game, a franchise record, and finished 15-2.
Chicago hired Johnson as head coach in January 2025, replacing Matt Eberflus. The Bears had ranked 28th in scoring the year before at 18.2 points per game.
Campbell won both meetings in 2025
Johnson’s return to Detroit in Week 2 went badly. The Lions won 52-21 on 14 September, with Jared Goff completing 23 of 28 passes for 334 yards. It was the first time the Bears had conceded 52 points since 2014, and Johnson called the defeat “a kick in the teeth”. Campbell even went for it on fourth-and-goal while leading 45-21 with 8:03 remaining, and Detroit scored. Johnson defended the call afterwards, saying Campbell was doing what he was supposed to do.
Chicago recovered. The Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North, while Detroit went 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Even so, Campbell’s side won the rematch 19-16 at Soldier Field on 4 January 2026 to complete the season sweep.
Johnson’s first playoff run then showed what his team could do. The Bears trailed the Green Bay Packers 21-6 going into the fourth quarter of their wild card game before winning 31-27, then lost 20-17 in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.
Detroit rebuilt the offence
Campbell has had to replace Johnson twice. John Morton lasted one season as offensive coordinator before being dismissed, and in January 2026 the Lions hired Drew Petzing, the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons, to take over the role and call plays.
Where both teams stand
Going into November, Chicago are 6-2 and Detroit are 5-2, with both teams on three-game winning streaks. The Minnesota Vikings lead the NFC North at 6-1.
The numbers split the two contenders:
- Bears: 214 points scored, 160 conceded, 0-2 in division games
- Lions: 203 points scored, 180 conceded, 2-0 in division games and 4-0 at home
Chicago have scored more points and hold the better point difference, at +54 to Detroit’s +23. Detroit have been unbeaten at Ford Field and have already won both of their divisional fixtures, while the Bears are still looking for their first.
A Thanksgiving showdown
The game kicks off at 1pm ET (6pm UK time) and continues a Lions Thanksgiving tradition dating back to 1934. This is the second time in three years that Detroit have hosted Chicago on the holiday. The previous occasion, in 2024, ended in a 23-20 Lions win, when Johnson was still calling plays for Detroit.
Johnson knows Goff and the Lions’ offensive system better than any opposing coach, while Campbell has now beaten him twice. With first place in the NFC North potentially on the line, this is the most important meeting between them yet.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
