Johnson's Bears, scorching hot, aim to solidify playoff dominance against a surging Packers squad in a pivotal NFC North clash.
If the Chicago Bears intend to play their best football in December, that has to start with a critical win over NFC North foe Green Bay Packers this Sunday. It’s incredible to even state that possibility in head coach Ben Johnson’s first season – the Bears started 0-2 in the 2025 season. Chicago is on a five-game winning streak that has thrust them atop the NFC playoff picture with a 9-3 record as the No. 1 seed. However, the Packers are just one game back at 8-3-1, making this a must-win matchup. Should Johnson’s squad do that, it will deliver on a promise he made to fans back in September.
"We're gonna be playing our best football in December," Johnson said. "I know that to be certain. We're just in a race right now to get better in a hurry, and the faster we get there, the wins will start coming, and we'll be just fine."
That’s a tall task against Green Bay, who is 3-1 in the last four contests against the Bears. But Johnson has an NFL-leading defense in turnovers and turnover margin. Their most recent win over the Philadelphia Eagles was a bullying in the trenches by his team. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams leads the league in fourth quarterback comebacks, showing a clutch turnaround from his first season in the NFL. All of those pieces will be crucial for that first December win.
Here is the full story by Bears Roundtable writer Grant Bricker on how Sunday will be a big test of Johnson’s ability to deliver on promises made.
He’s shown why the Dan Campbell coaching tree has some serious substance in his first year as head coach. The perennially struggling Chicago team he inherited has been transformed and has an elite young quarterback to build around – and be able to do so on a cheap deal in his second year on his rookie contract. Johnson is a surefire favorite for Coach of the Year should he win the top spot in the NFC for a playoff run.
In order to make a splash in January, they’ll need to win out to keep their favored seeding and momentum high. A sixth win that leads their December with a victory would strengthen that push. And in a year where it’s felt like several presumed contenders have fallen out of favor, the race for the top is wide open. Johnson’s team is poised to win it.