The Chicago Bears have become the best team in football. Well, the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos have better records, but the Bears are the best team in the NFC. Actually, “best” might not be the right word at all. The Athletic has the Bears ranked sixth in its power rankings, ESPN has them eighth, and The Ringer places them all the way down at fourteenth. Analysts cite their slow starts, their breakdowns in coverage, and their missed opportunities on offense.
Yet if the season were to end today, the Bears’ ratio of wins to losses would be higher than any other team in their conference. In other words, they’d have the best record. They would be the number one seed, earn a first-round bye, and host their playoff games on home turf—all the characteristics of what we tend to consider the best team in the league. You might not believe it’s the role befitting this team—it hasn’t been pretty, it’s hardly even been fundamentally sound—but it’s the one they’ve stumbled into nonetheless. They’ve certainly got the fans riled up.
“People doubted them, but I think beating the Eagles showed everyone they’re legit. The Bears have really become something to look forward to,” said senior Elyan Jamal.
“This season has been the most fun we’ve had in a while. A lot of people expected very little because of the tough schedule, new coaches, and all the changes, but they haven’t disappointed. Every game is a heart racer, but with the way they’re playing, I think they could go really far,” said senior Rameil Pithyou.
“I’m still a bit skeptical about this Bears team making a deep playoff run, but it’s definitely the most exciting season we’ve had in years. Hiring Ben Johnson seems like the best move they’ve made in a long time. If they can beat the Packers, I might have to give my students extra credit,” said social studies teacher Pankaj Sharma.
The Chicago Bears are bound to be feeling some level of impostor syndrome. But they’re here, and they’re rolling. Team energy has mounted to a fever pitch, capped by their latest round of post-game locker room revelry in which an amped up head coach Ben Johnson ripped off his shirt to an eruption of cheers.
Momentum and sheer luck have carried this young, almost divinely anointed team farther than anyone expected. They’ve climbed to the top of the NFC almost in spite of themselves. Now it is up to them to fill in those shoes. Super Bowl glory is no longer a pipe dream so much as a rising expectation. But first, they’ll have to get through the Packers. All eyes turn to their late-afternoon showdown today at 3:25 p.m. CST.
