The Chicago Bears are back in the postseason - and that alone is worth celebrating. It’s been five years since Bears fans could look forward to playoff football, and at 11-4, this team has earned its way into the dance.
But inside the locker room, the mood isn’t one of celebration just yet. For this group, the job’s not done.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds put it plainly: “You got to be able to get into the dance first to even have Super Bowl talks,” he said. “Being able to punch our ticket to even have a chance to bring that trophy home is something that is very important to us. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great accomplishment, but at the same time we have two important games coming up that will shape up how that will even go.”
That’s the tone you want from a team with bigger aspirations. Yes, the playoffs are locked in, but the Bears aren’t coasting. They’re chasing momentum, seeding, and a shot at something more.
Eyes on the Finish Line
The Bears still have a path - albeit a narrow one - to the NFC’s No. 1 seed. It would take winning out and getting a little help from the NFC West, but it's not off the table.
The San Francisco 49ers tightened their grip on the top spot with a big win over the Colts to close out Week 16, but the door isn’t shut. For Chicago to climb to the top, they'll need losses from the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks down the stretch.
But before any scoreboard watching, the Bears have to handle their own business - and that starts with a heavyweight matchup in Week 17. They’ll head west to face the 49ers in a game that could serve as both a playoff preview and a measuring stick. This is the kind of late-season clash that reveals just how ready a team is for January football.
After that, it’s a divisional showdown with the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The Lions have been one of the NFC’s most consistent teams all year, and that game could carry serious implications for both teams’ playoff positioning. It’s not just about seeding - it’s about entering the postseason with confidence and rhythm.
Locked In, Top to Bottom
Head coach Ben Johnson is preaching the same message as his players: finish strong. There’s no talk of resting starters or looking ahead. The Bears want to go into the playoffs with momentum, and that means treating these final two games like must-wins.
And that approach makes sense. In a loaded NFC field, where margins are razor-thin and matchups can swing on a single play, seeding matters.
Momentum matters. Confidence matters.
This Bears team has already shown it can win ugly, win on the road, and win in big moments. Now, they have a chance to stack a couple more statement wins before the real season begins.
So yes, the playoffs are locked in. But for the Bears, the mission is far from over. They’re not just trying to make noise in January - they’re aiming to make history.