Inside what’s powering Bears’ tough path to playoffs

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of the kind of stretch that doesn’t just help establish a winning culture for first-year head coach Ben Johnson, but this run could also be laying the foundation for a playoff run.

Quarterback Caleb Williams’ heroics, powering four fourth-quarter comebacks so far this season while guiding the Bears into a virtual tie for the NFC North lead, have served the purpose of both galvanizing Johnson’s squad as well as positioning Chicago to have a real chance at the postseason.

Bears’ Playoff push won’t be easy

Chicago’s recent run of five wins in the last six is among the most impressive stretches across the league this season, but there is still plenty of work to do if the Bears are going to make this run matter and actually make the playoffs.

According to ESPN, the Bears have a 43.7 percent chance of making the postseason, and just 11.2 percent odds of winning the NFC North, despite having four games against divisional foes in front of Chicago down the stretch.

“The offense has rebounded,” ESPN’s Seth Walder writes, of the Bears. “From Week 5 to Week 9, the Bears’ offense ranked third in EPA per play, fueled by a rushing attack that has bounced back in the second quarter of the season after struggling early. Caleb Williams’ accuracy numbers improved from abysmal to merely below average — which might be all the Bears need to be threatening. It’s a tough path ahead, but Chicago’s past wins and recent offensive efficiency give it a solid chance at the postseason.”

There’s an argument to be made that the longer Williams is in Johnson’s system, and continues to build timing with the likes of Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Colston Loveland that the second-year quarterback’s accuracy could continue to improve from here, and if it does, the Bears’ postseason chances — and outlook, would likely rise.

Where do the Bears currently stand?

If the regular season ended today, the Bears would be in the postseason, but have little margin for error down the stretch.

Ahead of the Packers vs. Eagles showdown to close out Week 10, the Bears would currently be the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.

Chicago, though, faces the NFL’s most daunting remaining strength of schedule, with the Bears’ opponents boasting a league-high .571 winning percentage.

However, there is significant opportunity in the closing slate, given that the Bears still have both matchups looming against the Green Bay Packers, face the Minnesota Vikings, and close out the season against the Detroit Lions, in a game Chicago might need to have in order to make the playoffs.

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