As we know, the Los Angeles Rams’ loss to the Panthers paved the way for the Chicago Bears to move into the NFC’s top spot. If both teams continue winning, it’s mathematically impossible for L.A. to clinch the top seed. However, the Rams are relying on Chicago to revert to their old ways, which is a possibility given their upcoming schedule.
The Bears are about to face a gauntlet in their final five games, with four teams currently in the playoff hunt, including three divisional opponents.
Up first is a trip to Lambeau Field to face the Packers and Micah Parsons. Green Bay hasn’t played well offensively in their last three home games against the Panthers, Eagles and Vikings, scoring just 43 points in those matchups (14.3 points/game).
There is a strong chance Da Bears could pull off an upset at Lambeau similar to the 2024 regular season finale. The Packers, though, have stepped up for tougher opponents this season, so it should be expected that they’ll give Ben Johnson and company their best shot.
Both teams will square off again right before Christmas. Then, Chicago will face a scrappy 49ers squad held together by band aids and duct tape, and a Lions team desperate to make it back to the playoffs a year after having the NFL’s best record.
The Bears are undoubtedly much improved compared to last season. They haven’t really been blown out aside from the Lions game in Week 2. Having a competent coaching staff has certainly worked wonders. But is Chicago indeed a good team, or are they benefiting from lucky finishes that have eluded them for years? Keep in mind their average margin of victory is only six points.
Take into account some of their wins:
- Defeated the lowly Raiders on a last-second field goal in a game where Ashton Jeanty had the best game of his young career.
- Comeback win over a bad Commanders team featuring a second-straight last-second field goal.
- Won a wild shootout in Cincinnati, which in hindsight, was more the Bengals collapsing … again.
- Fourth quarter comeback against the awful Giants, and were fortunate that Jaxson Dart got injured, or else they would have lost had he stayed in.
- Another last-second field goal to defeat the Vikings after nearly letting J.J. McCarthy play the hero against them … again.
- Three-point win over a Steelers team minus Chicago’s nemesis, Aaron Rodgers.
The dominating win over the Eagles on Black Friday was actually a quality victory, as Caleb Williams played a supporting role to a powerful run game. Although that game further exposed a problem that Chicago has dealt with all season: Williams’ accuracy. NFL.com’s Judy Battista wondered if his completion percentage would eventually be a problem:
“The Bears are 9-3 and currently the NFC’s top seed. And, weirdly, Williams’ completion percentage is 58.1 percent, which is 40th in the league. Part of that is drops — the Bears have dropped 18 of his passes already this season, compared to 20 in all of last season — although according to Pro Football Reference, Williams’ on-target throw percentage has also dropped from 72.4 to 67.3.”
While I do believe Williams has a chance of becoming the long-term solution in the Windy City, he doesn’t have enough juice at this time to make it past the NFC’s best.
So, Chicago had better enjoy this run while it lasts, because these last five games will make-or-break their top seed aspirations. Eventually, the luck will run out. Need proof? Well, the Chiefs’ devil magic has seemingly worn off, at least this year it has.
Nothing lasts forever, and if the Rams rebound from the Carolina debacle, they’ll be back in the conference’s top spot in no time.
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