Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears slapped down a massive statement Friday, November 28, blasting the Philadelphia Eagles 24-15 on the road to surge to 9-3 on the season and take control of the NFC North. It wasn’t just a win. It was a huge statement.
Powered by a relentless ground assault, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai combining for 281 rushing yards and two touchdowns, according to ESPN research, Chicago dominated the line of scrimmage and turned what looked like a close contest into a lopsided victory. Their defense pounced, forcing a key turnover and showing Philadelphia’s offense who’s boss just when momentum started to shift. This was a roaring declaration that the Bears are real, and they’re coming for the crown.
It’s wild to think about the turnaround that this team has seen under new head coach Johnson, who came from the Detroit Lions. With Johnson, the Lions are faltering with a 7-5 record and just lost to the Packers at home. It’s happening at the same time that the Chicago Bears are getting hot, too.
On Friday, one key decision that went under the radar really helped contribute to the Chicago Bears’ success. Johnson was a genius in his thinking with this call, too.
Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Made a Genius Decision
The team that wins the toss at the beginning of the game usually decides to go first in the second half. But, that’s not what happened with Johnson. The Bears won the toss and took the football to start.
According to Fox Sports analyst and former Bears tight end Greg Olsen, that was a calculated move. It worked, too. In a post on X during the game, Olsen noted that the Philadelphia Eagles were throwing into the wind in the fourth quarter and that it wasn’t “random that Ben Johnson planned for the fourth quarter hours ago.”
What a genius move to have that forward thinking to make sure that you weren’t the team throwing the ball into the wind in the fourth. Obviously, throwing into the wind makes passing more difficult. That move really helped the Bears, and hurt the Eagles, in the final stretch.
Ben Johnson Celebrate the Chicago Bears Win Over the Philadelphia Eagles
After the game, Johnson celebrated by going shirtless, which seems out of character for such a serious coach. But, a big win deserves a big celebration.
Speaking to the media directly after the win, Johnson said, “These guys should feel pretty good about what they just did. It’s hard to go on the road and beat a good team like that.”
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams commented on Johnson taking his shirt off, saying, “He did take his shirt off. He’s a man of the people, I’ll say that.”
The Bears are shocking fans and pundits, showing that last season’s struggles are already ancient history. This team has made a total turnaround from where they were last season at this time, and they owe that to Johnson and his staff. There’s no stopping the Chicago Bears as they make their way to the top of the NFC.
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