The excitement in Chicago is reaching a fever pitch as the Bears enter Week 12 having won seven of their last eight contests.
Their latest victory—a gritty 19-17 finish on the road against the Minnesota Vikings—came after a last-second field goal sealed the game. That win pushed Chicago to 7-3 and put them alone atop the NFC North, holding a narrow lead over both the Lions and Packers.
Fans are already dreaming about a playoff run, but head coach Ben Johnson has absolutely no interest in entertaining that conversation right now.
Johnson’s mindset is exactly what Bears fans should adopt
As much as Chicagoans might not want to hear it, the Bears still have a major box to check this season before they can earn true league-wide respect: they need to beat a team with a winning record. Every one of Chicago’s seven victories has come against opponents currently below .500. Their matchups against tougher opponents—like Detroit and Baltimore—have exposed some shortcomings.
.Johnson is keeping the focus strictly on the next game, which is the smartest approach. Seasons can swing quickly, and teams that start thinking ahead often lose their edge and find themselves on the outside looking in when it matters most.
The Bears face a brutal stretch to close the year, with matchups against the Steelers, Eagles, Lions, and two games against the Packers still on the schedule. Winning even half of those could not only secure a playoff spot but also legitimize Chicago in the eyes of the broader NFL world.
Chicago is positioned well to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, but they’ll need to come out with at least a .500 finish over their remaining slate to feel confident about getting there.
