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Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears can clinch a playoff slot in Week 16, but it will take not only them winning their Packers game.
Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are heading into a high-stakes game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, December 20, and even though both teams already have a high probability of making the postseason, according to NFL research, it’s still an important game. Before the game, the Bears already have a 79% chance of making it to the postseason, and the Packers are at 87%.
If the Bears win on Saturday, their shot at getting to the postseason will go up to 95%, and if the Packers win, that’ll go to 99%. But, there’s actually a very easy way for the Bears to get to the postseason in Week 16, and then, they would be able to just coast into January.
But, as with any team in the NFL late in the season, it’s not just about what the Bears do. It’s also about what happens with other teams in the league, and that means Chicago has one more reason to root against one of their NFC North rivals this weekend.
Easy Way for the Chicago Bears to Make the Playoffs
The Chicago Bears can walk out of Week 16 with an automatic spot in the playoffs, but to do it, they’ll need help from Johnson’s former team.
If Chicago wins against the Packers and the Detroit Lions lose or tie their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, then the Bears will instantly be in the playoffs. Also, if Chicago just ties their game against the Packers and Detroit loses, they’re also in.
So, it’s a simple route to make the postseason in Week 16. But, even if they don’t, the Bears are in a fantastic position for Week 17.
Ben Johnson Praises Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams and the Bears will have to be on point, as they were during their 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. Earlier this week, Johnson talked about how much Williams has progressed in just one season.
“Well, I think this is a long journey that we have up in front of us, so we’re trying to make as many strides as we possibly can right now, from the springtime all the way up until this point,” Johnson told the media. “It’s a continual basis. It’s not going to stop. It’s going to continue to go on. He’ll be a lot better off a year from now than he is here and now, and he’ll be a lot better off five years from now than he’ll be a year from now. That’s a continual growth process, and I think he understands that.”
Johnson added that he’s not just excited about Williams. He’s also pumped about the team’s entire offense.
“I think the pre-snap procedure is something we’ve been harping on for a long time, and that’s really started to come to light,” he said. “I think it’s unlocked a lot of elements of the shifts, the motions, the cadence, the things of this offense that we want to do to attack defenses. That’s the starting point. The more reps he gets on every single concept, the game’s starting to slow down for him. That’s encouraging to see.”
Johnson added, “He’s thrown some of these in-breakers with anticipation, which I think is a tough thing for young quarterbacks to do at times, and so he’s trusting what he’s seeing and he’s delivering accurate balls.”
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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