With the NFC’s No. 1 seed still very much in play, Ben Johnson has the Chicago Bears locked in for a critical Week 15 showdown against a Cleveland Browns team that’s already been eliminated from playoff contention - but is suddenly riding a wave of excitement thanks to rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders has injected fresh energy into Cleveland, delivering the franchise’s first 300-yard passing game in 20 contests. That’s not just a personal milestone - it’s a potential turning point for a Browns team stuck in salary cap quicksand.
With Sanders on a rookie-scale fifth-round contract, Cleveland has a rare opportunity to build around a quarterback without breaking the bank. But while the buzz around Sanders is real, the Bears’ immediate focus is on the other side of the ball - and for good reason.
Because standing between Chicago and a must-win game is Myles Garrett, who’s not just having a great season - he’s putting together one of the most dominant pass-rushing campaigns the league has ever seen. Garrett just became the first player in NFL history to hit the 20-sack mark in just 13 games.
That’s not a hot streak. That’s historic.
And yes, Ben Johnson is paying attention.
Ben Johnson’s Plan for Myles Garrett Shows Just How Locked In the Bears Are
Chicago’s offense under Johnson isn’t quite the league’s most explosive, but it’s evolved into one of the more balanced and efficient attacks in the NFL. Heading into Week 15, the Bears rank eighth in scoring, 14th in passing, and second in rushing on a per-game basis. That’s a far cry from last season’s struggles - and a massive step forward for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
A year ago, Williams was under siege nearly every week, taking a league-high 68 sacks. This season?
Just 20. That’s tied for seventh-fewest among quarterbacks with at least 10 starts.
It’s not just a stat - it’s a statement about how Johnson has rebuilt the offense to protect his young quarterback and eliminate the drive-killing plays that defined last season.
That kind of protection could be the biggest obstacle standing between Garrett and NFL history. With 20 sacks already, Garrett is just three away from breaking the single-season record of 22.5, set by Michael Strahan and later matched by T.J.
Watt. Both of those seasons hit that mark in 16 games.
Garrett has a chance to do it in 15 - but only if the Bears don’t stop him first.
Johnson knows what he’s up against. He didn’t mince words when asked about Garrett this week:
“Not our first time that we’ve gone against a dynamic pass rusher,” Johnson said. “Certainly, this guy… he might be on another level than anybody else in this league right now.”
That’s not coach-speak - that’s respect. And it’s backed up by the tape.
Garrett is blowing up double teams, even triple teams, and still finding his way to the quarterback. Johnson made it clear: leave Garrett one-on-one, and he’ll wreck your game plan.
“Heaven forbid you ever leave him 1-on-1,” Johnson said. “That’s really where he shows up. He’s almost unblockable that way in pass protection.”
The Bears Have Handled Elite Pass Rushers Before - And They’ll Need to Again
This isn’t the first time Johnson and the Bears have had to scheme around a game-wrecker. Just last week, they faced Micah Parsons. While Chicago lost a tight one to Green Bay, they kept Parsons from taking over the game - he finished with seven pressures, but no sacks and just two QB hits.
Earlier this season, the Bears held Maxx Crosby in check - five pressures, no sacks, one hit - back in Week 4. Aidan Hutchinson got to Williams once in Week 2, but that game spiraled early with the Lions racing out to a 52-21 win. Even then, Hutchinson didn’t dominate the way he’s capable of.
So there’s a track record here. Johnson has shown he can design a game plan that neutralizes elite edge rushers - or at least keeps them from flipping the game.
Last week, the Titans gave the Browns a blueprint. Cleveland’s pass rush struggled to make an impact as Tennessee ran away from Garrett and had quarterback Cam Ward get the ball out lightning quick. Expect Chicago to take a similar approach - quick reads, fast throws, and a heavy dose of the run game to keep Garrett guessing.
Stakes Are High - and the Bears Know It
Make no mistake - this game matters a whole lot more to Chicago than it does to Cleveland. The Browns are out of the playoff picture, while the Bears are in the thick of the NFC race.
Every snap counts. Every decision matters.
And letting Myles Garrett take over? That’s not on the Bears’ agenda.
Ben Johnson and his staff have been building toward this moment all season - a chance to prove their offensive identity can hold up under pressure, against one of the most dominant defenders the league has ever seen.
If they can keep Garrett from wrecking this game, the Bears won’t just be one step closer to the top seed - they’ll have shown they can handle playoff-caliber pressure before the playoffs even begin.