The Chicago Bears are staring down the final five games of their season knowing exactly what’s on the line: a shot at the playoffs and, with a little help and a lot of grit, a potential NFC North crown. And while it’s tempting to look at the full stretch, the reality is this - the next three weeks will likely decide whether Chicago can seriously challenge for that division title.
It starts and ends with how they handle their two matchups against the Green Bay Packers. Win at least one, and the door swings open.
Win both, and the Bears could be kicking that door off its hinges.
But Green Bay isn’t the only hurdle. The Bears’ closing schedule is a gauntlet.
The San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions are looming in the final two weeks, both teams with playoff aspirations and rosters built to make deep postseason runs. That Week 18 clash against Detroit?
You better believe Chicago has that one circled in red ink.
Back in September, the Lions didn’t just beat the Bears - they dismantled them. A 52-21 loss that still stings.
That kind of defeat tends to linger in a locker room. And now, with the rematch set to take place at Soldier Field in the dead of winter, the Bears have more than just revenge on their minds.
They’ve got an opportunity to flip the narrative - and maybe even knock their division rival out of playoff contention in the process.
And here’s where things get interesting: Detroit just suffered a major blow. Star safety Brian Branch tore his Achilles in Thursday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, and he’s done for the season. That’s not just a loss - that’s a seismic shift for the Lions’ defense.
Branch has been a tone-setter for Detroit all year. Only Aidan Hutchinson has been more vital to that unit.
Branch’s stat line tells the story: 75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, a forced fumble. He’s a Swiss Army knife in the secondary - a sure tackler, a savvy blitzer, and a reliable run defender.
In fact, only linebacker Jack Campbell grades out higher against the run on that defense. And that’s where the Lions have been bleeding yards lately - 120 rushing yards per game allowed since the bye week.
That was with Branch. Without him?
The cracks could widen.
The Bears are built to exploit that. Their ground game has been one of the most consistent weapons in their arsenal, and it’s tailor-made for cold-weather football. With the rematch against Detroit set to take place at home, in what could be classic December conditions - think wind, cold, and a whole lot of physicality - the Bears have a real chance to control the tempo and wear down a banged-up Lions defense.
And don’t underestimate the emotional edge. That 52-point beatdown is still fresh. Add in the stakes - playoff positioning, divisional pride, and the chance to end Detroit’s season - and you’ve got a recipe for a statement game.
Detroit has shown resilience this season, battling through injuries and adversity. But losing Branch hits differently.
He’s not just a playmaker - he’s a stabilizer, the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. Without him, the Lions' secondary becomes a lot more vulnerable, especially against a Bears offense that’s finding its rhythm at the right time.
This final stretch is where teams define themselves. For the Bears, it’s not just about getting even - it’s about proving they belong. And with the Lions limping into that Week 18 showdown, Chicago has a golden opportunity to flip the script on a season that started with questions and could end with answers.