Yes, that’s real. On November 18, 2025, through eleven weeks of the season, my beloved Chicago Bears have sole possession of first place in the NFC North. It’s been way too long since the Bears were playing truly meaningful games at this point in the season. I cannot contain my happiness.

From the day Matt Eberflus was fired, through the hiring of Ben Johnson to replace him, I allowed myself to hope but tempered my expectations. I came into the season prepared to be happy with just noticeable improvements. I wanted Caleb Williams to show growth and start matching his vast potential to the job of being a franchise quarterback. I wanted to see the Bears coaching staff display competent game management. I wanted the Bears to at least be competitive and, perhaps, stay in the hunt into December.

We’ve gotten that, and more. The Bears aren’t just in the hunt, they’re leading the division. It hasn’t always been pretty, and they’ve yet to beat an opponent with a record above .500, but they’re 7-3 and that’s nothing to sneeze about.

The schedule does get tougher, but the playoffs are within their grasp and I truly believe this Bears team can get there. These are not the Eberflus Bears, this team is different. Watch the Bears post game locker room videos, they remind me of Matt Nagy’s first season. You can tell that this whole team has bought into what Ben Johnson is selling. They believe and belief can help a good team be better.

There’s work to be done yet. Caleb Williams needs to improve his accuracy. The offense, as a whole, needs to stop shooting themselves in the foot. They leave too many points on the field. They do not put teams away when they have the chance. Aside from creating turnovers, the defense has not been good. Special teams makes too many mistakes.

The Path Forward

The Bears have seven games remaining and, with a record of 7-3, I figure they need to go at least 3-4 down the stretch to make the playoffs. To win the division, I think they need 4-5 more wins. Let’s take a look at the schedule:

Week 12

I feel like if the Bears are going to make the playoffs, winning this game is step one. The Steelers are 6-4, but they’ve been very inconsistent. It’s at home and Pittsburgh is one of the weaker opponents left on the Bears schedule.

I like the Bears to win this one, especially if Aaron Rodgers is out. Truth be told, though, I want Rodgers to play. I want to beat Rodgers in the worst way.

Week 13

I’ve penciled this one in as a loss. As much improved as the Bears are, they aren’t on the defending champs’ level yet. I look at this game as a measuring stick, if the Bears can keep it close, it bodes well for their chances. If not, it doesn’t necessarily kill their chances, but it should tell us it will be a slog to make the postseason.

Week 14

It’s always a big game when the Bears play the Packers, but it’s been awhile since a December match up with the Packers meant anything more than pride to the Chicago Bears.

Lambeau Field is a tough place to play, but Green Bay is not the juggernaut I thought they’d be before the season. The defense is good, but not dominant and the offense has been very inconsistent.

Truth be told, I don’t think Jordan Love is more than an above average quarterback and none of their receivers truly scare me, except Christian Watson.

Even better for the Bears, I truly expect both Jaylon Johnson & Kyler Gordon back for this game.

Losing here won’t sink the Bears hopes, while a win would all but assure them of a playoff berth and really boost their chances of winning the division.

Week 15

If the Bears are making the playoffs, this is another must win game. Cleveland’s defense is scary, but their offense is atrocious and this game is being played at Soldier Field, and the Browns have been much worse on the road.

A loss here probably doesn’t mathematically eliminate the Bears, but deep down we all know the season would be effectively over.

Week 16

If the Bears are going to the playoffs, I think they need at least a split with the Packers and this one is in Chicago.

If the Bears can win two weeks prior in Lambeau, a win here could end Green Bay’s chances of winning the division.

Week 17

Depending on how things go over the next five weeks, this game could have huge implications for both teams. It could mean the difference between making or missing the playoffs for either team or it could be a battle for seeding.

The Niners have been ravaged by injuries this season but they keep winning. The defense doesn’t scare me, but Christian McCaffrey does and George Kittle has always had big games against the Bears.

Hopefully, the Bears take care of business before this game and the result won’t determine whether or not they make the playoffs. I think the Bears match up okay with San Francisco but this is a tough road trip late in the season.

Week 18

Aside from Philadelphia, I think the Lions are the best team left on the Bears schedule. We all know how the first matchup with Detroit, in week two, went, but this one is in Chicago and could have major stakes.

It’s okay to think that this game could determine the NFC North champion, but a lot has to happen to get to that point.

Home Field

I think it will take a minimum of ten wins to make the playoffs in the NFC & I think there are two keys to the Bears getting there, the first being home games.

Of the Bears seven remaining games, four are at Soldier Field: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Green Bay & Detroit. If the Bears go .500 or worse at home, they’ll need at least one road win to get to 10 wins and none of those three; Philadelphia, Green Bay & San Francisco, are easy.

Win three of four in Chicago and the Bears are likely in the playoffs and perhaps even challenging for the division title. Sweep their home games and the Bears will not only be in the playoffs, but likely be the kings of the NFC North.

Division Games

The Bears play three games against divisional opponents in the last seven weeks; Green Bay twice and Detroit once. Two of those three are at home. The Bears need to win at least one of those to have any hope of making the playoffs.

Two division wins likely puts them in the playoffs and three would almost certainly make them kings of the North.

Synopsis

The road isn’t easy, but playoff runs aren’t supposed to be. The Bears do, however, have a legitimate shot. They get the benefit of four home games with a probable need for three wins out of seven games.

I’m cautiously optimistic. I can see the path to the playoffs and it seems very possible. My optimism will grow with a win this week against the Steelers. It will reach a fever pitch if they can win in Lambeau.

The thing to remember, Bears fans, is no matter what happens down the stretch, we’re playing with house money. The Bears have already topped last season’s win total and we know the answer to the two most important questions entering the season. We have our coach and we have our quarterback. The playoffs would just be a cherry on top of what has been the most fun Bears season in seven years.