The Chicago Bears continued their surprising rise under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, earning a huge 24-15 Black Friday victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The win pushes Chicago’s streak to five straight and strengthens their lead in the NFC North standings.
Bears’ Offense Shines Behind Monangai and Swift
Chicago’s running game was the difference-maker once again.
Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift combined for 225 rushing yards and two touchdowns, dominating Philadelphia’s defense.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams finished 17-of-36 for 154 yards and one touchdown, battling through two sacks and an interception.
Defense Makes Game-Changing Plays
The Bears’ defense continues to play at an elite level:
Nashon Wright recovered a crucial fumble by Jalen Hurts on a short-yardage play.
Kevin Byard III grabbed his sixth interception of the season, further boosting a defense that has carried Chicago in tight games.
Ben Johnson Sends Clear Message About the Bears’ Expectations
Ben Johnson has quickly become one of the top stories of the 2025 NFL season. The former offensive coordinator has changed Chicago’s mindset, installed a sharper system, and helped the Bears win games many thought were out of reach.
After the win, Johnson urged that the work is far from over.
“There’s no secret. There are no shortcuts. We’ve gotta put in the same amount of work each week and keep getting better. We’re still not at what we’re capable of being as an entire team,” Johnson said in his postgame press conference.
He added that the Bears are still striving to deliver a full, consistent 60 minutes of football in all three phases.
Bears Exceed Expectations With Playoff Push
Few predicted the Bears would win more than a game or two above last season’s total, but they’ve now won 10 of their last 11, sitting at 9-3. They remain at the top of a very competitive NFC North, with the Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) close behind.
Chicago’s remaining schedule includes:
Two matchups with the Packers
A showdown with the Cleveland Browns, led by Shedeur Sanders
A chance to avenge an earlier loss to the Detroit Lions
With Ben Johnson leading the way, the Bears appear to be a strong NFC Playoff contender, and fans have plenty of reason to believe this team can secure a postseason berth.
