The vibes are high in Chicago right now - and for good reason. The Bears are sitting atop the NFC North and the entire conference after a gritty 24-15 win over the Eagles, coupled with a little help from the Panthers knocking off the Rams.
But inside Halas Hall, there’s no champagne popping. No one’s printing playoff tickets just yet.
Head coach Ben Johnson made that crystal clear.
Asked about being the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Johnson didn’t blink.
“No. It doesn’t mean anything.
There are five games left. So we have a long ways to go.
We have not been guaranteed a spot in the tournament yet. We have to earn that right.
And the only way you can earn that right is by finding a way to win that next game. So that’s where our focus is.”
That mindset? It’s exactly what this team needs right now.
Locked In, Not Looking Ahead
The Bears have been one of the hottest teams in football, winning nine of their last 10. And they haven’t been coasting through cupcakes either.
The last two weeks alone, they’ve silenced a lot of doubters by knocking off the 6-4 Steelers and the 8-3 Eagles - two physical, playoff-caliber teams. Those wins weren’t just important in the standings; they were tone-setters.
Chicago didn’t just beat good teams - they outlasted them, out-executed them, and showed the kind of late-season grit that separates contenders from pretenders.
But Johnson’s not letting anyone get caught up in the hype. And with the schedule ahead, that’s the only approach that makes sense.
A Brutal Five-Game Gauntlet
The Bears’ final stretch is no cakewalk. They’ve got the Packers twice, the Lions, the 49ers, and the Browns.
That’s a lineup loaded with playoff aspirations and rosters that can punch you in the mouth. None of those games are gimmes - not even close.
Green Bay’s always dangerous in December, especially with the rivalry stakes. Detroit’s still very much in the hunt and eager to prove they’re the new kings of the North.
San Francisco? That’s a heavyweight fight waiting to happen.
And Cleveland’s defense is the kind that can ruin your Sunday in a hurry.
There’s no margin for error. Every week is a playoff game from here on out.
Culture Shift in Chicago
What’s striking about this Bears team isn’t just the wins - it’s the way they’re handling success. Under previous regimes, moments like this might’ve led to premature celebrations or a loss of focus. But Johnson’s message is clear: nothing’s been earned yet.
This is a team that’s playing with urgency, not arrogance. They’re not asking for respect - they’re taking it. And if they keep stacking wins the way they have been, they’ll force the league to take notice whether anyone’s ready or not.
For now, the Bears are in the driver’s seat. But they know the road ahead is full of potholes. The only way to get where they want to go is the same way they got here - one tough, physical, focused win at a time.