The Chicago Bears didn’t just win a playoff game last weekend-they shed over a decade’s worth of postseason frustration in the process. Beating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round wasn’t just about advancing-it was about reclaiming pride, rewriting narratives, and finally flipping the script on a rivalry that’s haunted them for years.
Let’s put this in perspective. The Bears hadn’t won a playoff game since 2010.
That’s 16 years of waiting, of heartbreak, of “maybe next year.” Their last home playoff game?
- That one didn’t end well.
And for fans still haunted by the infamous “double doink,” this win felt like a long-overdue exhale.
And it wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. The Bears didn’t stumble past their archrivals; they took them down in thrilling fashion.
It was the kind of game that gets replayed in highlight reels and remembered in Chicago bars for years to come. The kind of win that reminds a city why it fell in love with football in the first place.
But here’s the thing: the Bears can’t afford to celebrate for too long.
Veteran safety Kevin Byard, who’s been around the league long enough to know how quickly the postseason can humble you, made it clear-this team needs to move on. The message from the locker room is simple: enjoy it, but don’t dwell on it. There’s a bigger challenge ahead.
And he’s right.
This weekend, the Bears face a Los Angeles Rams team that’s more talented on paper than Green Bay. The Rams didn’t look sharp in their own Wild Card game, but they survived.
And you can bet they won’t be as sloppy this time around. They’ve got experience, they’ve got weapons, and they know how to win in January.
The Bears? They’re still finding their footing.
First-year head coach Ben Johnson is navigating his first playoff run. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams just picked up his first postseason win.
His top target? A rookie tight end who’s been playing like a seasoned vet but is still new to this stage.
There’s a lot of talent here, no question-but there’s also a lot of youth.
That’s where the mental edge becomes crucial. Beating the Packers was emotional.
It was personal. But now it’s about composure.
Can this young team refocus and rise to the moment again? Can they put the past behind them-both the long-term history and last week’s high-and lock in on what’s next?
If they can, and if they pull off another upset, it won’t just be a win-it’ll be a sign that something is truly changing in Chicago. That this isn’t just a feel-good story or a one-off run. It’ll be proof that the Bears are growing up fast, with a coach and quarterback who might just be the real deal.
For a franchise that’s spent the better part of two decades searching for answers, that kind of progress would mean everything.