Chicago Bears: 5 key matchups in opener vs. Detroit Lions

1. Rookie CB Jaylon Johnson vs. WR Marvin Jones

The rookie gets the start. It will be Jaylon Johnson lining up against Marvin Jones, assuming Kyle Fuller draws Kenny Golladay. Both corners will likely see each Detroit wideout on occasion, though, considering they do not typically shadow one guy.

Putting Johnson on Jones might be the best way to go though, since he is considered the deep threat in Detroit and Johnson has an elite history of disallowing touchdowns.

Last season, Jones compiled eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown in two games versus the Bears. The one thing Johnson will have to ensure he doesn’t do is allow the big play. Both Lions wideouts are keen to making big plays often, and Jones is the bigger deep threat between he and Golladay.

Jones has a history of being a touchdown monster when healthy, and when Matthew Stafford is his quarterback. Over Jones’ last three seasons, he has averaged a touchdown reception for every 6.8 catches. Fortunately for Chicago, they have held him to under four catches per game in those same three seasons.

If Johnson keeps Jones out of the end zone, Chicago has a big part of the Lions’ offense on lockdown. From there, it will be about containing Golladay, who is always good for one or two eye-popping plays in every game it seems.