Talk about a quick turnaround. Early in 2025, the Chicago Bears announced they were hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach. People questioned how Johnson would do and if he could help turn this offense with plenty of weapons into something strong and resilient. After starting 0-2, getting blown out by his former team, it seemed like perhaps the Bears would be at the bottom of the division once again.
Then they went on a four-game winning streak and haven’t looked back since. With a fourth-place schedule, the Bears were questioned until they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday; that’s when it felt like the Bears were legit. Now they’re the NFC North champions, and they can give Detroit one more loss to push them below .500 for the first time since 2021. After the beating they received in Week 2, I’ve got a feeling Johnson and his team will do whatever it takes to ensure Detroit goes down on Sunday.
Let’s take a deeper look at the Bears in my Week 18 scouting report.
Chicago Bears
2025 season thus far (11-5)
Week 1: Lost to the Minnesota Vikings 27-24
Week 2: Lost to the Detroit Lions 52-21
Week 3: Defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-14
Week 4: Defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Defeated the Washington Commanders 25-24
Week 7: Defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-14
Week 8: Lost to the Baltimore Ravens 30-16
Week 9: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 47-42
Week 10: Defeated the New York Giants 24-20
Week 11: Defeated the Minnesota Vikings 19-17
Week 12: Defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28
Week 13: Defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-15
Week 14: Lost to the Green Bay Packers 28-21
Week 15: Defeated the Cleveland Browns 31-3
Week 16: Defeated the Green Bay Packers 22-16 (OT)
Week 17: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers 42-38
Stats:
- 10th in points scored, 22nd in points allowed
- 16th in DVOA
- 10th in offensive DVOA (7th in pass DVOA, 4th in run DVOA)
- 24th in defensive DVOA (24th pass DVOA, 28th in run DVOA)
- 18th in special teams DVOA
This has been a year Bears fans have been waiting for. They’re atop the NFC North once again, getting their first divisional title since 2018. While the top seed isn’t a possibility for them, they’ll have something to play for on Sunday. With a win over Detroit or if the Eagles lose to the Commanders, the Bears will lock in the two seed. If the Bears lose and the Eagles win, they’ll fall to the three seed.
Quarterback Caleb Williams had a bounce-back season after a difficult rookie year in 2024, throwing for more yards (3,730) and touchdowns (25), all while keeping the interceptions at six. A significant factor in his improvement is the upgrade seen on the offensive line. Williams was sacked 68 times in 2024, the most out of any quarterback, and this year he’s only been sacked 23 times. Johnson was big on the trenches in Detroit, and the moves Chicago made to bolster up the line have given its offense life.
Not only has the offensive line helped the passing game, but the running game has arguably been the better part of the offense. The Bears are like the Lions now; they’ve got a two-headed running attack in D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, and both are in the top 25 for rushing yards this season. Swift leads the way with 1,047 yards (14th in the NFL) and nine touchdowns, while Monangai has 769 yards (25th in the NFL) with five touchdowns.
The receivers for Chicago are all over, as nobody really is the number one target for Williams. D.J. Moore leads the team in yards (671) and is tied with Rome Odunze with touchdowns (six), with Odunze only 10 yards behind Moore. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland has slowly developed into the mix, with 48 catches for 622 yards and five touchdowns.
While the offense has been a big strength for the team this year, the defense is still working through the kinks. EDGE Montez Sweat leads the team in sacks (9.5) and forced fumbles (three). The secondary has been battling injuries throughout the year, but that hasn’t stopped free safety Kevin Byard from getting a league-leading six interceptions.
But what has bailed the defense out for the entire season is their ability to force turnovers. They lead the entire NFL with 32 takeaways—a huge bump from just 24 last year.
Overall, the Bears are a top-three team in the NFC, something nobody expected heading into 2025. Sure, many believed Johnson to be the right hire for Chicago, but to get this far in the first year, it’s impressive.
Injury notes
Key players ruled out: CB Kyler Gordon (IR), RB Roschon Johnson (IR), OT Braxton Jones (IR), DL Dayo Odeyingbo (IR), DL Shemar Turner (IR)
Key players to monitor: WR Rome Odunze (foot), CB Josh Blackwell (illness), WR D.J. Moore (illness), LB Noah Sewell (Achilles)
Chicago’s injury report isn’t as extensive as Detroit’s, with the majority of the worry being an illness over actual injury. First, the Bears will be without starting cornerback Kyler Gordon as he can’t return until the playoffs. The pass rush will be without two contributors on the defensive line in Dayo Odeyingbo and rookie Shemar Turner, as they both have season-ending injuries. Backup running back Roschon Johnson is still on IR and can return, as well as offensive tackle Braxton Jones.
The Bears have two players dealing with an active injury in Odunze, who has been dealing with a foot injury and could sit this week to save him for the playoffs, and Sewell, who is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles last week. Sewell was more of a rotational and special teams player at this point, but it’s a bummer he won’t get to play against his brother, Penei, this week.
Illness has spread through the Bears’ locker room, claiming cornerback Josh Blackwell and Moore. Once again, the team could let them rest to get better so they can be at 100 percent for the playoffs. While it’s not an injury, having players out playing sick can still be a disadvantage.
Biggest strength: Running attack/Offensive line
When it comes to the Bears’ offense, the running game has seemingly been its go-to option for moving the football, and a big reason for that success is the offensive line. Johnson wanted to see an instant upgrade in the position in the offseason after a poor 2024 showing. Chicago traded for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, and signed center Drew Dalman to a deal in free agency, instantly making them a top interior offensive line in the division. Those moves have shown the team what it’s like to have an offensive line that can give its quarterback time to throw the ball or create holes for the running game.
According to PFF, the Bears’ offensive line is third in pass blocking (73.6) and run blocking (77.4). Chicago’s offensive line has made it easy for the running backs to find the hole and get almost five yards a carry. PFF has them ranked as the second-best running game (90.3). Swift is having a career year, only two yards behind his previous high, and has a new high in touchdowns. Monangai has climbed up the depth chart in his rookie year and has become a helpful backup option for Chicago.
When you have an offensive line turnaround like Chicago did, mixed with a running game with two backs that you can keep fresh, you have a recipe for a strong offense. Does that sound familiar? With Johnson running the offense and the success he saw in Detroit with the same formula, it’s no surprise he brought that with him to Chicago.
Biggest weakness: Defense
While they lead the NFL in interceptions with 22, takeaways are the only thing the defense consistently does. Their pass rush is below average, with 32 sacks (t-22nd), and outside of Sweat, the Bears haven’t had another player step up to give him some help. PFF has them ranked as the fifth-lowest pass rush team (63.1), with the top player being defensive tackle Gervon Dexter.
Next, the run defense has been bottom-tier as well, allowing the fifth-most rushing yards (2,165), 5.0 yards per carry (fourth-highest), tied for the sixth-most 20+ rushing yard plays allowed (13), and fifth-most 40+ rushing yard plays (four). Five of their top six run defenders by PFF grade are in the secondary. If the secondary defenders are your best run stoppers, your defensive line and linebackers aren’t playing as they should.
Speaking of the secondary, while they do their best to stop the run, they struggle to stop the pass. Chicago allowed the seventh-highest completion percentage (66.8), tied for fifth-highest in passing yards per play allowed (7.6), and passing touchdowns (31). They don’t just struggle in defending the pass; they struggle mightily, allowing the third-most 20+ yard passing plays (57) and tied for fifth-highest 40+ yard passing plays (nine). If it wasn’t for the turnovers, this defense would be even worse than it is.
Key matchup: Lions’ front seven vs. Bears’ ground attack
The biggest question will be if Detroit will play its starters, and for this sake, I’ll assume they do. If Detroit can slow down the Bears’ running attack, they’ll have a chance to win this game and finish the year with an above .500 record. Like Detroit, if Chicago’s running game struggles, the team can’t win most of the time. In games with 138 yards or less, the Bears are 3-5, and one of those wins was against the team with the best chance to have the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Lions’ run defense is a shell of its former self. Something Detroit used to be dominant in has been a weak point for them this season. Then, when Detroit attempts to focus on stopping the run, teams unleash the pass and play action, and the Lions’ defense falters.
So if Chicago can get the ground game moving, this game could be an inverse of the Week 2 game between these two. Johnson is petty like Campbell; he’ll remember how the Lions dropped 52 points on them and will want to return the favor this time around. With the team fighting for the two-seed, they have something to play for, unlike Detroit. Johnson will want his players ready and prepared for playoff football, and a win against a team like Detroit, despite their down year, would be a good rebound game for them in time to host the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round—who will be their opponent if Chicago wins.
Vegas line for Sunday: Bears favored by 2.5
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