DETROIT (WWJ) - The NFL has announced their schedule for the 2011 season and for the first time in 10 years, the Detroit Lions will be seen nationally on Monday Night Football.

The Chicago Bears come to town on October 10 and ESPN's cameras will be rolling at Ford Field.

Mike O'Hara, columnist for Fox Sports Detroit, believes it's a sign of good things ahead for the Lions.

"Ultimately you measure the success and failure of a football team or any sports team in wins and losses. But, along the way there are other elements and other steps, and for the Lions getting on Monday Night Football this year, is a step up.  It's a reflection of their good finish at the end of last season with four straight wins. It's also a reflection of the good in some young stars that the public wants to see," O'Hara said.

According to O'Hara stars like Ndamukong Suh, Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford have given the Lions a new look and appeal nationally. Sue was last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

"Certainly from a marketing standpoint and an identity standpoint, the way he broke in last year, he just did it so quickly. Sue has become a national celebrity, he really has," O'Hara said.

This game will also be the Lions first nationally televised game in five years. Their schedule opens with three out of four games on the road, and O'Hara thinks Detroit will be happy to come home after a difficult start to the season.

"There going to have some tough road games before they play Chicago. That's sort of, you know, I wouldn't say playing Chicago is a soft landing but certainly they'll be happy to get home and play a prime time home game," O'Hara said.

The Lions will start their season on Sept. 11 in Tampa, followed by their first home game of the season Sept. 18 against Kansas City. Their fifth game of the season will be Monday night Oct. 10 hosting the Chicago Bears.

The schedule is also highlighted with a game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day. Click here to view the complete schedule.