It doesn’t seem like ex-Lions coach Ben Johnson is as significant to the Lions as Detroit fans thought

The Detroit Lions are sitting pretty right now in the NFL with a 3-1 record, and that feels good for those in the Motor City. Now, they’re heading into a Week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and considering that the Bengals have Joe Burrow out, that already gives the Lions a boost going into the game. We’re not happy to see someone injured, but the reality is that it will likely benefit the Lions.

So, looking at the NFC North, the Lions have beaten the Chicago Bears and lost to the Green Bay Packers. The Bears, of course, are coached by Ben Johnson, who was Detroit’s offensive coordinator for some of the team’s most successful recent years, so it felt extra good to beat him in the Motor City this year.

Now, Johnson has gotten a bit of a dig. So, if you’re someone who’s hoping he doesn’t have the kind of success in Chicago that he had in Detroit, read on.

Former Detroit Lions May Not Be Missed

Everyone has their power rankings out for Week 5 of the NFL, and the Lions are No. 3 in a lot of the rankings. Fox Sports has some especially interesting things to say about the Detroit Lions and Ben Johnson. In the piece, published on Tuesday, September 30, Ralph Vacchiano says the elephant in the room about Johnson.

The Lions grinded out 34 points against a tough Browns defense and have now scored 124 points over their last three games,” he notes. “It doesn’t seem like Detroit is missing former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson much.”

So, there you have it. It doesn’t appear that Detroit is missing their former coordinator.

Vacchiano has the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 1 on the tally. In the second half of Week 3 and the first half of Week 4, the Eagles sure looked like the defending Super Bowl champions,” he notes. But after Jalen Hurts went 0-for-8 in the second half against the Buccaneers and the Eagles totaled minus-1 yards in the second half, I’m really wondering how long they can hold on to this top spot.

More Buzz in the NFL for the Detroit Lions

As each week goes by, it seems like more and more analysts are noticing the Detroit Lions in a good way. In the NFL’s latest power rankings going into Week 5, out on Tuesday, September 30, Eric Edholm puts the Lions at No. 3.

“Detroit was not prolific offensively against Cleveland, but no one has been this season,” Edholm says. “Still, this is the second time in four games where the Lions have been kept somewhat grounded on offense, even if they’ve taken good care of the football. Committing five offensive penalties was out of character, and Detroit’s still trying to hone the connection between Jared Goff and Jameson Williams.”

Do you think the Lions will pummel the Bengals on Sunday? Contact me with your game predictions. The Detroit Lions have a few more weeks left until they have their Week 8 bye week, so let’s hope for win after win leading up to it.

Raiders’ Chip Kelly Sends Humorous Message to Jackson Powers-Johnson

After a strong start to the 2025 NFL season, with a win against the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Las Vegas Raiders have struggled, losing three straight games. The last loss was perhaps the toughest, as the team fell short on a blocked attempt at a game-winning field goal by veteran kicker Daniel Carlson.

Although the Raiders are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears, which should’ve gone their way, Las Vegas saw some promising signs on the offensive side of the football. The Raiders were able to run all over the Bears‘ defense, which is something they haven’t been able to do all season.

With the team gaining some traction in the ground game, offensive guard Jackson Powers-Johnson has received high praise for his performance, creating holes for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and veteran Raheem Mostert.

Raiders OC Chip Kelly Makes Hilarious Comment About Jackson Powers-Johnson

With Powers-Johnson getting a lot of attention for his inspired play in Week 4, Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was asked if he could feel the guard’s presence inside the booth during the game against the Bears. Kelly laughed at what he thought was a funny question from a member of the media.

“I don’t feel anybody’s presence when I’m up in the booth,” Kelly said. “He’s getting an aura now if the offensive coordinator in the booth can feel the right guard’s presence.

“Let me just tell you, I love JPJ, but his head is really big right now, so let’s just not start talking about that part. I mean, maybe we can cut this part of the interview out because he’ll be like, ‘There’s an aura in Allegiant Stadium’ with him.”

Clearly, Kelly has a great sense of humor and seems to have nothing but respect for an offensive lineman who plays with as much effort as Powers-Johnson.

“The one thing I love, he’s a tough kid,” Kelly said. “He plays his tail off. He’s a physical player. Obviously, when he was out, you lose that physicality that he brings, but do I feel it in the box? I’m hermedically sealed up there from anything.”

With Powers-Johnson putting on a show, which lit a fire under the Raiders‘ offense, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do moving forward.

Raiders Already to Bench Veteran QB Geno Smith?

Although he’s shown flashes of brilliance in his first four games with the Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith has had some trouble in the interceptions department. The veteran signal-caller has thrown for more interceptions than touchdowns.

Smith has thrown six touchdowns and seven interceptions, and the turnovers are starting to become a problem. His seven interceptions lead the NFL, one more than 40-year-old Joe Flacco (6) of the Cleveland Browns.

Despite Smith’s struggles, head coach Pete Carroll appears to be sticking with the veteran under center. However, that stance could change if Smith continues to be an interception machine, with Raiders newcomer Kenny Pickett anxiously waiting for his opportunity on the bench.

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