Seven years later, it happened again.

Although last Saturday’s exhilarating 22-16 overtime win by the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers clinched the Bears’ first playoff berth since 2020, Week 17 saw the Bears further cushion their way-too-early Christmas present, thanks to the Baltimore Ravens stealing a road win against the Packers. 

The Packers’ 41-24 home loss to the barely mathematically alive Ravens meant the Bears clinched their first NFC North division title since 2018, which guarantees a home playoff game in the coming weeks.

This is massive for former USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams, who, under Ben Johnson’s guidance, has led the Bears on an unforgettable turnaround compared to this past season. With two games remaining, the Bears have won two in a row and sit at 11-4. They can still earn the NFC’s top seed, which would guarantee a bye week and remaining at Soldier Field throughout the postseason. Despite the possibility, the No. 2 seed seems more likely.

Nonetheless, though, what matters for the Bears is they are playoff-bound. Postseason football doesn’t come around in Chicago often, but given the team’s supporting cast, it remains to be seen if it continues to be a regular occurrence.

For now, the playoffs are right around the corner. Johnson told reporters this week securing a berth was crucial for his overall growth alongside Williams.

“Our step No. 1 was to get to 11 [wins],” Johnson said. “There’s never been an 11-win team to not make it, and so we felt pretty good about that being the number going into the season. That was step one. Step two is we want to win this division. We want to have at least one home playoff game. And then step three would be clinch a No. 1 seed. So there are a lot of things still out there to play for. Our guys know that.”

So far, the Bears are heading in the right direction.