Nov. 28--DETROIT -- Calvin Johnson and Charles Tillman had many epic battles over the past seven years.
Tillman, the aggressive 6-foot-2, 198-pound Bears cornerback would shadow, nudge, bump and generally climb into the personal space of the Lions' 6-5, 236-pound monster pass catcher.
Tillman would refer to Johnson as "the LeBron James of wide receivers."
That must-see matchup may not occur again, and it certainly did not Thursday when Johnson caught 11 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the Lions' 34-17 thrashing of the Bears.
For much of the afternoon, Johnson was wide open for business.
Tillman, who will turn 34 in February, is out for the season after tearing his right triceps in September for the second time in two years. And Johnson pretty much had the playing field to himself while setting more records Thursday.
After the game Johnson and Tillman chatted, perhaps reminiscing about the days Megatron really had to work hard to even approach the numbers he chalked up on Thanksgiving at Ford Field.
"His loss has definitely (affected) the team," Johnson said of Tillman. "From him creating turnovers by punching the ball out ... everybody knows he's famous for that. He's trying to pass it along to little (Kyle) Fuller. He was trying to get it out, too. So they definitely miss him."
Fuller, the Bears rookie cornerback who also opposed his brother -- wide receiver Corey Fuller -- was credited with seven tackles and one pass defended. But he is no Tillman at this point.
"We exchanged jerseys, much respect to that guy," Johnson said of Tillman, who has said he wants to continue playing next season. "I have been playing against him since I have been here. He is a good corner, he is tough competition. Unfortunately he was not out there for his team today."
Johnson set an NFL record for the fewest games played (115) to reach 10,000 receiving yards (10,052). And he registered his 42nd career 100-yard receiving game to tie Hall of Famer Cris Carter for 15th-most all-time.
Lions quarterback Matt Stafford also had a field day, completing 34 of 45 passes for 390 yards and two touchdowns for a 116.0 passer rating.
Stafford could not subdue a smile when asked what went through his mind when he saw Johnson single-covered most of the game.
"Pretty excited," Stafford said with a wide grin. "We had an aggressive game plan when it came to that. They had shown that on tape. ... They were going to do what they were successful against Tampa Bay doing ... rushing with five guys and getting after the quarterback."
Lions coach Jim Caldwell was able to keep a straight face when asked about Johnson's success against single coverage.
"There were opportunities," Caldwell acknowledged. "He was singled up a lot and when that happens you know he's going to match up pretty well. That was a good young corner (Fuller) playing against him, obviously, and I think that had a lot to do with (the Bears strategy)."
It did not help the Bears cause when safety Chris Conte left the game with an eye injury.
"I noticed he was out for a little while," Johnson said. "But they still were kind of playing the same things they were playing the whole game. They mixed it up a little bit, but they kept on playing the same coverages. It was kind of a Rolodex approach."
Stafford connected with nine receivers. Golden Tate had eight receptions and Theo Riddick caught six passes.
The Bears receiving corps was led by Alshon Jeffery with nine catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Martellus Bennett caught eight passes from Jay Cutler for 109 yards. And Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte each had six receptions.
"I am not too sure what they have done so far this year as an offense," Johnson said. "But I do know they have some weapons over there.
"This is the same Bears team we played ... they have a lot of the same pieces. They are missing a lot of pieces, too. But as far as on the offensive side, you know they have firepower."
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