ClutchPoints
The Chicago Bears have become one of the NFL’s most surprising and polarizing teams in 2025. Written off after an 0-2 start, they have since ripped off eight wins in their last nine games. Chicago has featured a resilient defense, clutch offense, and the steady hand of first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Now sitting at 8-3 and alone atop the NFC North, the Bears suddenly find themselves at the center of the NFC playoff conversation. With a brutal six-game gauntlet ahead, though, the debate intensifies: Are these Bears for real? Or are they one hot streak away from crashing back to Earth?
The Bears continued their winning ways with a hard-fought 31–28 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. Facing a tough Steelers squad playing without Aaron Rodgers, Chicago’s offense once again showed grit. After falling behind 21–14 in the second quarter, the Bears responded with 17 unanswered points. They flipped the game and seized control heading into the final minutes.
Caleb Williams shook off early struggles and found his rhythm late. He leaned on star receiver Rome Odunze and running back Kyle Monangai to engineer multiple scoring drives. However, the real difference-makers were the defense and special teams. A first-quarter interception set the tone, and a late fourth-quarter strip-sack secured the win. It was another example of Chicago’s complementary football identity.
The victory marked the Bears’ fourth win in a row. It has been a remarkable turnaround for a team once plagued by inconsistency. Despite injuries at key defensive positions and some sporadic offensive execution, Chicago has displayed a toughness and resilience uncommon for such a young roster. Under Johnson, the Bears have grown from a chaotic and mistake-prone group into a disciplined team capable of executing under pressure.
The question remains, though: Is this sustainable? Here we’ll try to look at and discuss if the Bears are genuine contenders or not.
No team has better embodied “finding a way” than the Bears. Chicago has become a late-game machine. They have demonstrated the poise that typically defines veteran playoff teams. Williams already has five game-winning drives this season. Even when the offense sputters early, it regularly finds life when it matters most.
The Bears have also become exceptional at protecting leads late. That’s something they’ve struggled with in past seasons. Their ability to close out tight games is a defining trait of playoff contenders.
The Bears also lead the NFL with 22 takeaways. That includes multiple forced turnovers in six of their eight wins. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has built a unit designed to attack the football, swarm ball carriers, and generate momentum swings. Even when missing key players to injury, their defensive energy and opportunistic mindset have kept them competitive. Teams that force a ton of turnovers tend to stick around deep into January. Chicago fits that mold.
