Lions have NFL to thank as Ben Johnson's worst nightmare comes true

The Detroit Lions have quite the gauntlet of a road schedule this year, and based on reports, a ridiculous amount of holiday games, as well. The team is rumored to be playing not only on Christmas Day, but on Thanksgiving as well.

That's drawn some ire from players already, not having anticipated needing to play on two major holidays and be away from their families for these games. Nonetheless, the NFL is putting the Lions on notice: you're contenders, and we're going to treat you as such with as many primetime and nationally televised games as possible.

As rumors trickle in on games for Detroit, all eyes have of course been on when the team will be facing off with former offensive coordinator and now-Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson. It seems like the Lions are rumored to be facing off with Chicago for their final game of the season in Week 18, but they'll also reportedly be facing off with Chicago in an even bigger moment: the Lions' home opener in Week 2.

Buckle up.

Detroit seems ready to spoil Ben Johnson's homecoming in Week 2

According to reporting from the Chicago Tribune, the Bears will be on the road in Ford Field in Week 2 against the Lions. That marks the teams' first time facing off with Johnson as their now-NFC North rival, and as the Bears have totally retooled around their star quarterback Caleb Johnson.

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While the Lions will be at nearly full strength on defense come Week 1, it'll be a true test for both their prowess sans Alim McNeill and for Chicago's offense up against someone like Aidan Hutchinson. Their offensive line was a major focal point of their offseason, and there's no better test than to face off with the would've-been sack leader in Hutchinson during Week 2.

Ford Field is going to be rocking for this contest. There's always going to be some extra heinous energy involved during an NFC North battle, but this one has some major additional juice thanks to Johnson defecting to a direct rival.

This is great for Detroit, as they get to test their team in a playoff-environment so early in the year. If you can't perform during a rival game like this one, then you can't perform when the lights are truly brightest in January.

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