Bears-Lions Recap: Matt Stafford To Calvin Johnson Good Enough For 5-0

It was the first time in a decade the Detroit Lions had played on Monday Night Football. You can bet the personnel in charge of television programming for ESPN won't let that happen again for a very long time. The reason? Matt Stafford to Calvin Johnson is the single most exciting thing in the NFL this year.

The duo hooked up for one incredible touchdown early and the Lions defense took care of the rest against the Chicago Bears in a Monday Night Football match-up that separated the wheat from the chaff in the NFC North. Now the Lions are neck in neck with the Green Bay Packers while both the Bears and Vikings aren't just licking their wounds, but realizing that the playoff window is closing earlier than it should in a season where two of their division rivals are still perfect.

The Bears were up early 10-7, but the Lions ended up winning last night's game 24-13 with Jahvid Best finally showing up in 2011 in a major way. Best had 12 carries for 163 yards including one amazing 88 yard touchdown run. It was the icing on the cake in a third quarter that also featured a touchdown pass from Stafford to Brandon Pettigrew. All players involved on offense were recent first round choices for the Lions.

The Lions are clearly in the playoff hunt and then some, and the way the fans responded in Detroit shows they have a legion of fans behind them ready and waiting (for a long time) to cheer them on. The Bears now must head home and figure out what's going wrong one season after making it to the NFC Championship game.