Monsters of the Midway or Middle of the Pack: Where Do the Bears Stand?
The Chicago Bears may be one of the most surprising teams this year. Last year was forgettable, as they went 5-12 and suffered heartbreaking losses all season. The offseason started strong, as they landed the hottest coaching candidate in Ben Johnson. In addition, they revamped the offensive line and made improvements at numerous positions. However, even with all these additions, no one imagined that they would be as successful as they are in Johnson's first year with the team.
After a critical win against the Eagles, the Bears improved to 9-3 in the year. Following the Rams' loss a few days later, the team moved up to the top of the NFC. Despite all this success, questions remain about whether they can maintain this spot heading into the last few weeks of the season. The schedule doesn't get any easier, as they have four games against teams with winning records. They face the Green Bay Packers twice, the San Francisco 49ers, and then the Detroit Lions to end the year.
The major questions around the team are clear; there has been a lack of quality wins. While winning is all that matters, regardless of opponents, many fans and analysts believe that Chicago has not been tested. Before the Eagles game, the only team with a winning record that they had faced was the Detroit Lions in a game that the Bears lost 52-21. In addition, the defense has been shaky, and Caleb Williams has struggled with his accuracy. With all these factors going against them, many thought they would struggle once playing higher-quality opponents.
Many of the concerns are valid; however, Chicago has done enough to prove it can contend for the playoffs. No win in the NFL is easy, so despite the lack of higher-quality opponents, the team's record is impressive. Beating Philadelphia showed they can win against playoff-quality teams. In addition, the offense is one of the best in the league right now. The Bears rank in the top 10 for both points per game and yards per game. This high level of efficiency is largely due to the running game. They currently average the second-most rushing yards per game, which allows them to control the flow of the game. Additionally, they have been able to limit the number of turnovers.
Speaking of turnovers, Chicago has forced the most in the league. They currently have 26, which is four more than the Steelers, who have the second most. The health of the defense has also improved each week. While the defense may not be a strength of the team, the combination of getting healthy at the right time and taking the ball away may be enough to solidify it. A solid defense and an elite offense give them a chance to compete in any game.
The upcoming critical stretch will determine if the Bears are contenders or pretenders. Regardless of how the season finishes, the blueprint to success is present. Johnson's success in year one has sped up the rebuild, turning the hope for future success into immediate results. The winning identity he has established is signaling a new era for the historic franchise. The days of praying for just a winning season are gone; now sights are set on maintaining their spot at the top of the NFC.
