With few teams possessing the patience, discipline and focus to handle these complementary approaches in Chicago and New England, the preseason underdogs head into the stretch run in catbird seats. Although coaches and scouts rarely reflect on their accomplishments during an ongoing season, these teams’ quick transformations have sparked a water-cooler conversation about which one is best positioned to win it all now — and in years to come.

After taking a closer look at each team, here are my thoughts on their prospects as title contenders …

Which team has the most immediate potential?

I see Chicago as the team with more upside in the remainder of this season. The Bears’ decision to rebuild their roster around Williams has paid off in Year 1 of the Johnson era. General manager Ryan Poles followed the blueprint that helped his new coach terrorize opponents as the offensive coordinator of the division rival Lions. Chicago’s trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, signing of Drew Dalman and drafting of second-rounder Ozzy Trapilo have significantly upgraded the protection around Williams. Additionally, the revamped line has enabled Johnson to punish opponents on the ground, with D’Andre Swift and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai attacking the middle of the defense on various downhill runs. With the Bears’ perimeter weapons (Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, Cole Kmet and first-round pick Colston Loveland) creating matchup problems all over the field, Johnson can transform any game into a shootout or grind-it-out affair based on game plan.

Defensively, Dennis Allen can throw a monkey wrench into opposing game plans with his unit attacking the ball at every turn, racking up an NFL-best 26 takeovers. As Allen turns up the heat with a barrage of exotic blitzes that plug running lanes, while also forcing quarterbacks to play under duress, the Bears can make life miserable for opponents in the postseason tournament.

Although Chicago has not been touted as a title contender for most of the season, most teams lack the muscle and discipline to deal with Johnson’s offensive tactics. Given the Bears’ takeaway prowess — including a league-high 17 interceptions — these Monsters of the Midway have the pieces in place to make a championship run this season.

Which team has the most potential for the next five years?

On this timeline, I like New England. Maye has blossomed into a superstar under Josh McDaniels’ tutelage. The six-time Super Bowl champion, with three rings as an offensive coordinator, has carefully crafted a scheme that’s helping his second-year signal-caller play winning football without a collection of blue-chip players around him. Maye has responded by playing pitch-and-catch efficiently, while taking an occasional shot down the field to prevent opponents from squatting on the Patriots’ intermediate routes. And the quarterback is hitting on those shot plays at an insanely high clip. Considering the offense is flowing without a dominant WR1 (five players have at least 400 receiving yards, seven have at least 20 catches), New England suddenly resembles the early-2000s Patriots teams that saw Tom Brady throw to a collection of unheralded playmakers. Moreover, the operation has a plug-and-play feel that should enable the team to fill in some gaps with blue-chip prospects via the draft.

Defensively, adding a group of experienced veterans has jump-started New England’s rebuilding process. Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III, Harold Landry III, Milton Williams, K’Lavon Chaisson and others have helped establish the hustle-and-hit culture that Vrabel demands. The Patriots will need to supplement the vets’ efforts with more youngsters on the front line, but the culture has been established, and the team’s core group of players will maintain it as new guys jump into the lineup.

With Vrabel overseeing the operation as an experienced head coach who won three Super Bowls as a player, the future is quite bright again in Foxborough, with the franchise quarterback and nucleus in place. This only feels like the beginning. That’s right, people: New England is back.