The Chicago Bears have a 9-4 record going into their final four games of the season, but are the last seed in the NFC playoffs. With several great division leaders and two NFC West teams, the Seahawks and the 49ers, ahead of Chicago, it will be crucial to win as many games as they can. In the last three games, the Bears beat the Steelers 31-28 at home, stunned the Eagles away on Black Friday 24-15, and had a heartbreaking 28-21 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. Caleb Williams had 3 passing touchdowns against the Steelers, and the defense came up with a huge stop to seal the win. Next, the Bears traveled to Philadelphia on Black Friday and silenced the doubters with a convincing win against the defending Super Bowl champions. Running backs Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift carried the offense with 130 and 125 rushing yards, respectively, and each had one touchdown. People doubted the Bears as they hadn’t beaten anyone good yet. However, they proved they’re a legitimate playoff contender by handling the Eagles fairly easily. Finally, Chicago went to Green Bay to face the Packers, but unfortunately, fell just short after Caleb Williams threw an interception in the end zone with 27 seconds to play. It was finally a meaningful rivalry game, where whoever won would be first in the NFC North, and the Bears would still be first in the NFC if they won. After an ugly first half, only scoring three points, Chicago tied the game at 21, but the Packers got a touchdown after, and the Bears weren’t able to answer. Now the question is how the Bears will perform against three great teams in their last 4 games. With the NFC playoff standings being very tight, Chicago needs to be able to prove it deserves to be in the playoffs. Let’s go through their final four opponents.

First, the Bears host the Browns today at noon in one of the coldest games ever at Soldier Field. The temperature will be around 10 degrees with wind chills around -10 degrees. It should be an easy win, but the cold weather will definitely make it a much more difficult game. Expect Chicago to lean on the run game, and both teams will have many turnovers. Obviously, it will be a much-needed win, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Bears.

Next, the Bears host the Packers for a rematch on Saturday, December 20th at 7:20 PM. This game could decide the winner of the NFC North, and it will be sold out and very loud. Chicago is ready to get revenge on Green Bay, and what a perfect game to do it in, on a Saturday night at home. It could be one of the most important Bears games in years, and I feel that they need to beat the Packers after losing to them at Lambeau.

Then, Chicago will travel to San Francisco and take on the 49ers on Sunday Night Football on December 28th. This is the only away game the Bears have left, and it would be huge to come home with a win. Hopefully, it will be a great game, as it could be the last primetime game for the Bears.

Finally, the Bears return home to play the Lions on either January 3rd or 4th. This game will be flexed based on how big it is for the playoffs. It could definitely be the biggest one in the NFL, as it could decide who gets the last playoff spot in the NFC. After being crushed 52-21 in Detroit, the Bears also look to get revenge on the Lions. Ben Johnson will certainly want to beat his former team after what they did to Chicago in week 2.

If the Bears want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, or even win the NFC North for the first time since 2018, they will need to play some physical football in their last 4 games. They will show us just how legitamate this Bears team is, and hopefully they will establish themselves as a playoff contender in just the first year of Ben Johnson’s career with the Bears.