Bears Clinch NFC North, But Postseason Run Hinges on Fixing Key Flaws
The Chicago Bears are officially playoff-bound-and not just squeaking in. With one of the most improbable comeback wins of the season, they’ve locked up the NFC North and now control their own destiny when it comes to playoff seeding. If they can win at least one of their final two games, the two-seed is within reach.
But while fans have every right to celebrate a dramatic win over the rival Packers, the Bears’ coaching staff will be diving into the film with a different mindset. Because as thrilling as the comeback was, the game also exposed some cracks that need patching before the postseason gauntlet begins.
Let’s break down the three biggest issues the Bears need to address if they want to make noise in January.
1. Staying Ahead of the Sticks
The Bears’ third-down woes were hard to miss. They finished just 2-for-11 on third downs, and it wasn’t just about facing long distances.
Even on manageable third-and-short situations (five yards or fewer), they went 2-for-5. Anything longer than that?
A brutal 0-for-6.
That’s a problem-and not just because the Packers were missing key defenders. Yes, edge rusher Micah Parsons was out, and that’s a game-changer in itself.
But Green Bay was also without starting safety Evan Williams and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. Those absences should’ve tilted the matchup in Chicago’s favor, especially when it came to sustaining drives.
Instead, the Bears struggled to stay on schedule and too often found themselves behind the chains.
In the playoffs, that kind of inefficiency is a killer. The Bears could see defenses like the 49ers, Rams, or even the Seahawks-units that thrive when they can force third-and-long and unleash the pass rush. If Chicago can't find a way to stay in rhythm and keep the down-and-distance manageable, drives will stall and opportunities will vanish.
2. Caleb Williams Needs to Start Faster
Caleb Williams has had his share of magic moments this season, and his fourth-quarter heroics against Green Bay were the latest entry in a growing highlight reel. Down 10 in the final frame, Williams led a game-tying drive and then sealed the win in overtime. Clutch, no doubt.
But here’s the thing: for the first 58 minutes, he wasn’t sharp.
Heading into that final drive, Williams was just 12-of-24 for 151 yards. He finished with 250 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-34 passing-solid numbers, but the slow start nearly buried the Bears before the comeback ever had a chance.
It’s not about nitpicking. It’s about expectations.
In the postseason, there’s no guarantee of a fourth-quarter comeback opportunity. The margin for error shrinks dramatically.
If Williams can tap into that late-game poise earlier in contests, this offense could become a real problem for opposing defenses.
With two regular-season games left, the Bears have a chance to tighten things up. That means finding ways to get Williams into rhythm early-scripted plays, quick throws, whatever it takes.
Because when he’s on, he’s dangerous. The challenge is getting that version of him for four quarters, not just one.
3. Fixing the Run Defense
For a team that just beat Green Bay, the Bears didn’t exactly shut down the run. In fact, the Packers ran for 192 yards at over 4.3 yards per carry-and that’s with a banged-up offensive line missing key starters like Zach Tom and Elgton Jenkins.
That’s not a good look.
To be fair, the Bears did limit big plays-the longest run allowed was just 14 yards-but the consistent chunk gains kept the Packers in manageable situations and helped control the tempo. That’s especially concerning when you consider Green Bay’s offense ranks middle-of-the-pack in rushing even when healthy.
This isn’t just a one-week issue either. In Week 14, the Packers ran for 117 yards at 4.5 yards per carry. So this isn’t a fluke-it’s a trend.
If the Bears want to go deep in the playoffs, they’ll have to tighten up the front seven. Because the teams they’ll likely face-San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle-can all run the ball and do it behind far better offensive lines than what Green Bay rolled out.
Can the Bears Make a Run?
The Bears have the pieces. They’ve got a defense that forces turnovers, a quarterback who’s shown he can deliver in crunch time, and a team that’s proven it can win ugly-or win big. But the question is sustainability.
Right now, Chicago ranks 24th in yards allowed and 19th in points allowed, despite playing the 10th-easiest schedule in the league. That’s not the kind of defensive profile that holds up in January unless you’re generating takeaways at an elite clip. And turnovers, as we know, are hard to rely on week-to-week.
So the path forward is clear: clean up the third-down offense, get more consistent play from Williams, and shore up the run defense. Do that, and this team has the talent to make a real run.
Don’t do it, and that playoff berth might be short-lived.
Either way, the Bears are back in the postseason-and that alone is a major step forward. Now it’s about seeing just how far they can go.