Making the playoffs was not something Chicago Bears fans dared to dream about when the season began. They'd had their hearts broken way too many times in the past decade. All they could hope for was that they'd improve from their 5-12 record last year, perhaps reaching 8-9 wins. Head coach Ben Johnson would improve the offense and get Caleb Williams on the right track. Then two games into the season, the Bears were 0-2. Despair hit everybody. It was more of the same. This organization couldn't get anything right.
Johnson was undeterred. He stayed on his players, grilling them on details and keeping them focused. One win turned into two. Two turned into four. Before anybody knew it, the Bears had won ten of their last 12 games. Suddenly, the dreaded "p" word became realistic. Can the Bears make the playoffs? Yes, they can. In fact, their path ahead is much more straightforward than you realize. It can happen as early as Sunday. Two things are required to make it happen. The Bears control one. An old nemesis controls the other.
#1 - Chicago Bears must beat the Green Bay Packers
This is the obvious first step. Right now, the Packers are just a half-game behind the Bears in the NFC North standings. They beat Chicago in the first meeting at Lambeau Field. Taking that win back is critical to tightening their grip on the division. This victory would give the Bears a tiebreaker and a 1.5-game lead with three games to play. It would be their 11th win of the season. Their playoff probability is currently 89%. That win would push it into the 90s, but not quite over the finish line.
#2 - The Pittsburgh Steelers must beat the Detroit Lions
Detroit is the only other threat to Chicago's hopes of January football. They beat the Bears back in September in Detroit, so they hold the tiebreaker at present. However, they are 8-6 after losing last weekend to the Los Angeles Rams. One more loss means they can't win more than 10 games, making it impossible to match the Bears' 11. That math would cement the playoff spot. Unfortunately, the game will be played at Ford Field. The Lions are 5-2 at home this season. Pittsburgh is 3-3 on the road. The Chicago Bears will have to hope Aaron Rodgers has one more vintage performance in him.
