The Chicago Bears are officially knocking on the door of the postseason, and they have a real opportunity to clinch a playoff berth this weekend. According to the NFL, the Bears can punch their ticket under two specific scenarios, both of which highlight just how far this team has come in Year 1 under head coach Ben Johnson.
The first and most straightforward path is a Bears win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, paired with a Detroit Lions loss or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Ford Field. If Chicago handles its business and Detroit loses at home, the Bears would lock up a playoff spot with two games still remaining on the schedule.
The second scenario is slightly less conventional but still very much in play. If the Bears and Packers play to a tie on Saturday, and the Lions lose to the Steelers on Sunday, Chicago would still clinch a postseason berth.
Regardless of how it happens, the bigger picture is what truly stands out. In Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach, the Bears already sit at 10 wins and control their own destiny entering the final stretch of the regular season. Expectations were modest heading into the year, but this team has exceeded them in just about every way.
Now, with two games left and the playoffs within reach, the Bears have a chance to turn an impressive season into a special one.
