Lions' Dan Campbell: Bears are a 'better team' since first meeting

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When the Detroit Lions met the Chicago Bears in the two teams' first meeting of 2025, the Lions rolled to a 52-21 win against the Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams-led Bears in Week 2.

That victory jumpstarted a four-game winning streak for the Lions and it also dropped the Bears to 0-2 to begin the season. But, a lot has changed since then.

The injuries piled up on the Lions and Detroit failed to deliver with its backs against the wall during its current three-game slide. Meanwhile, the Bears have morphed into the NFL's No. 3 offense and one of the league's top scoring outfits.

As he previewed the rematch on Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared how he thinks the Bears have changed since they last matched up on Sept. 14.

"They’re more polished. They’re a better team. Really since that team, they lead the league in takeaways on defense. They’re getting them, man. It’s like we talk about. It’s contagious for them. Those guys are getting them in a good way. Got one the other night once again and turned it to a touchdown, and it’s much more sound. DA’s got his system in and it’s grown and developed. They’re keeping teams out of the end zone, keeping the offense ahead, which that’s what you’ve got to do on defense. Get the takeaways, that’s big.

"And then offensively, they’re more polished. Ben’s done a good job, the system is in and these little things that were there game two, game one, they’ve begun to go away. They’ve got a run game. They’ve found a run game, play-action pass, Caleb’s playing really well, o-line’s playing really well. Got a run game, Swift’s running well. Twenty-five (Kyle Monangai), he’s a downhill, hard runner, too. Tight ends playing good, both of them. Really all three of them. They’re playing at a high level. They’re doing things well. Much more polished," Campbell said.

The Lions (8-8) wrap up their 2025 season at Chicago (11-5) at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 4. The game will air on Fox.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' Dan Campbell: Bears are a 'better team' since first meeting

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