Chicago Bears fans are thrilled with how the season has gone to this point. Almost everybody believes the best this team could hope for was eight or nine wins. That was if the schedule broke their way and the injuries didn't pile up. Nobody counted on the drastic impact head coach Ben Johnson would have on the locker room. After a 0-2 start, the team won 11 of its next 13 games to steal the NFC North crown. They are in the playoffs and hold the #2 seed in the NFC. Has that convinced anybody they're a threat?
Not really. Most experts and fans believe the Bears have too many flaws to make a meaningful run. Their defense is weak, and the offense is too inconsistent to survive. Is that at the back of Johnson's mind? Not even a little. His intentions were clear when he met with the press on Tuesday. He stated that the Bears aren't just glad to be here. They are mentally prepared to play five more weeks, which is a glaring statement that they are gunning for the Super Bowl.
It starts with taking on the Packers for a third time. Johnson didn't guarantee a victory, but he did make one promise. There would be no holding back. Whatever trick he has in his bag will be thrown into winning this game.
Ben Johnson isn't hiding from expectations.
He's taking them head-on. What is the goal of every coach and player in the NFL? It's to win the Super Bowl. If you're content with making the playoffs, you are in the wrong profession. Who cares what everybody else thinks about your chances? The Bears are here. They cleared the first hurdle. It is time to set the expectations as high as they can go. That means winning four playoff games and hoisting the Lombardi trophy. Ben Johnson is showing he isn't afraid to say the words out loud. By putting it out in the open, he makes it real for the players.
One thing is clear. No matter what happens, the Bears will go down swinging. The last thing Johnson wants is to wonder if he might've been too conservative or cautious in certain situations. That mindset doesn't win championships. It's always about calculated risks and hoping for a lucky bounce or two. Chicago is the underdog on Saturday against Green Bay. Almost everybody thinks they've run out of magic. Johnson doesn't believe that, and he's ensuring the players share the same sentiment.
