The Chicago Bears came into this season with high expectations. The bar needed to be raised with Ben Johnson coming in to coach Caleb Williams. Expectations are one thing, but to meet those expectations and match last year’s win total last week is another. There has been a huge resurgence for this franchise. Many people were stuck in the notion that Caleb Williams was not the right guy in Chicago and that he had the most pressure out of any quarterback this season. That tune has changed in half a season. Many people now are saying Caleb is a generational talent and the guy Chicago needs.

Massive coaching upgrade

Ben Johnson did not waste time making things better for the Bears. Last year, the Bears were 32nd in total yards defensively; this season, they are 4th. Ben Johnson has created a top-10 offensive unit in Chicago. The Bears are 6-3 in their first nine games this season. The Bears have been on quite the run after starting the season 0-2, winning 6 of 7 games.

Winning the close ones

It has not been a perfect operation this season, but the Bears have gone from losing every close game to now winning every close game in a completely different fashion. Most importantly, now Caleb is the reason the Bears are winning close games, and Ben Johnson is not the reason why the Bears are losing close games. It appears the Bears have now found their head coach and quarterback combination for success.

NFC is deep and balanced

With the Bears showing life and having real aspirations to make the NFL playoffs, the NFC is as competitive as it has ever been. The NFL has never had more parity than it does right now. Everybody knew the NFC North would be a gauntlet this season. Last season, three teams made the playoffs from the North. The Bears are now in second place in the North. If the season eneded today the Bears would be in the playoffs as the sixth seed.

Little margin for error

With eight weeks left of the NFL season there is little margain for error. The Bears’ schedule will be tougher than it was during their winning streak. It is time for their Bears to prove themselves worthy of a playoff spot. How teams handle adversity defines them. So far the Bears have beaten adversity more than they have lost to it. With Chicago getting healthier and the offense scoring enough to win, the Bears will be a tough mathcup for anyone.

Elevated status

Many do not want to believe the Bears are finally a contender, but numbers do not lie and winning games send a message. Ben Johnson is the real deal, already one of the top coaches in the NFL. Dennis Allen is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL today. He has gotten the most out of a banged-up defense.

NFC North in play

The Bears are showing all the signs of a playoff threat. They are competing for the NFC North with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Exciting times are coming in Chicago because, at the very least, the Bears will be playing meaningful games late in the season. There will not be any early mock drafts this year. I believe Chicago will get in one of the final playoff spots, and this first year of Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams will go down as a success.