Ben Johnson has classy answer when asked if Lions ran up the score on Bears

Ben Johnson is in his first season as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. 

This offseason, Johnson was one of the hottest head coaching candidates on the market, and almost every team with an opening considered the offensive-minded coach. Johnson became a hot commodity during his time as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, when the team had one of the most prolific offenses in the league. 

Johnson didn't have to wait long to return to his old home, as the Bears traveled to Ford Field to take on the Lions in Week 2. It didn't go well at all for Johnson, as his Bears were thrashed to the tune of a 52-21 final score. 

The score was 38-14 heading into the fourth quarter, so the game was already all but over at that point. However, with about eight minutes to go. the Lions were stopped at the Chicago three-yard line. Faced with a fourth-and-goal and already leading 45-21, the Lions chose to go for it and ended up scoring again, making it a 52-21 game. 

After the game in Johnson's presser, the coach was asked if he felt like his former team was running up the score. Johnson gave a definitive answer that he did not feel like that was the case. 

"What’s he supposed to do? It’s fourth-and-goal, what do you want him to do? He could’ve kicked the field goal," said Johnson. "They don’t kick field goals. They go for it there. He was doing what he was supposed to do. That’s what he does.”

As Johnson explained, the Lions under Dan Campbell frequently go for it in those situations, so it wasn't surprising. The Lions had one of the best fourth down conversion percentages in the league last year and have already gone for it five times this year. 

Sure, Campbell could have taken the three points, but he also could have come away with zero points if the fourth down attempt was unsuccessful. It was on Johnson's defense to keep the Lions out of the end zone, and they were unable to do so. 

Additionally, the Lions didn't score again after that. The team ended with 14 points in the fourth quarter, and they could have had even more points if they wanted to. 

Johnson took the high road and gave the classiest response possible following the blowout loss. Now, Johnson has to get his team prepared for a Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who picked up a hard-fought overtime win in Week 2.