Chicago Bears make big playoff announcement on Saturday night

The Chicago Bears have surpassed the expectations of the national media this season.

There was some enthusiasm surrounding the Bears in the offseason when they hired Ben Johnson to replace Matt Eberflus at head coach. Johnson excelled as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, who won the NFC North in 2023 and 2024.

However, there was an understanding that Johnson would have a learning curve as a head coach in the league.

That was true. The Bears started the season 0-2, blowing a fourth-quarter lead against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 and suffering a 52-21 blowout to the Lions in Week 2.

After that, the Bears turned things around and started finding ways to win close games. Chicago enters its Week 17 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Night Football” sporting an 11-4 record.

Entering the weekend, the Bears needed the Green Bay Packers to lose to the Baltimore Ravens to clinch their first NFC North title since 2018. Without star pass rusher Mitch Parsons (lost to an ACL injury in Week 15), the Packers blew their lead in the division.

On Saturday night, Green Bay’s defense allowed backup quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Derrick Henry to score at will, losing 41-24 to the Ravens at Lambeau Field.

Chicago Bears announce the NFC North championship