The Chicago Bears have been on the winning end of several one-score games this season, but their combination of clutch play and good luck may begin to diminish following a big win over the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.
Ben Solak of ESPN pointed out on Tuesday, November 18 that Chicago faces an uphill battle from its current record of 7-3, good enough for first place in the NFC North, to a division title and/or a playoff berth seven games from now.
“Chicago has the toughest remaining schedule in the league (though a Mason Rudolph-led Steelers team on Sunday would soften that some),” Solak wrote. “I’m not sure how the Bears’ season will turn out and what they can do in the postseason with a thin defense and a green offense.”
Bears’ Run Game Dominant in First Year of Head Coach Ben Johnson’s Tenure
GettyRunning back Kyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears.
One thing the Bears should be able to count on is the run game that head coach Ben Johnson has been able to develop during his first season at the helm.
“One-year offensive line makeovers are typically the stuff of myths, but Chicago’s four new starters along the line have come together swimmingly,” Solak continued. “Chicago leads the league in expected yards per carry, per NFL Next Gen Stats. In other words, the blocking and space when the back gets the ball is better in Chicago than anywhere else in the league. It’s difficult to overstate the greatness of this achievement. Johnson’s commitment to building Chicago’s running game has created an easier environment for passing the football.”
The emergence of seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai as RB2 has been another factor, which benefits the offensive line, as Monangai is also benefited by the play of the front. D’Andre Swift is the lead back and has put together several quality outings this season, though the team may move on to a RB more suited to Johnson’s offense next offseason, as the Bears can save $7.5 million by releasing him or trading him ahead of the final year of his contract in 2026 while paying just $1.33 million in a dead cap hit.
Bears Defense Has Struggled All Season, Near Bottom of NFL
GettyCornerback Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears has been hurt for much of the 2025 campaign.
Unfortunately for the Bears, however, the defense has struggled all season and didn’t make any significant moves to make the unit better ahead of the trade deadline. Chicago is 27th in the NFL in total defense, allowing opposing offenses nearly 365 yards per game.
After hosting the Steelers this weekend, the Bears have back-to-back road games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Chicago hosts the Cleveland Browns the following week before squaring off against the Packers again. The Bears end the year with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers and a home contest with the Detroit Lions.
Chicago is just a half-game up on Green Bay and holds a one-game lead over the Lions. The Bears have already played the Vikings twice in 2025, splitting the season series.
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