The Chicago Bears conducted an improbable comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, securing an onside kick, a miraculous fourth-down touchdown, and an overtime win.
Now at 11-4, atop the NFC North, the Bears are in a prime position to secure the division. They've clinched a playoff spot thanks to Aaron Rodgers, and now, have their sights set on greater heights.
The end goal is the Super Bowl, but how realistic are the Bears as contenders? ESPN analyst Dan Graziano answered the question and made the case for Ben Johnson and the Bears to make the Super Bowl.
Are Bears Super Bowl contenders? ESPN analyst makes case for Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams
"Are the Bears as good as the Rams on Paper? Probably not." Graziano writes. "Do the Bears play defense as well as the Seahawks do? Definitely not. But Ben Johnson's bunch is never out of a game."
While the Los Angeles Rams are the more complete team (minus special teams), and the Seattle Seahawks have the better defense, the Bears have the tools needed to go on a run.
Johnson is a great coach, and Williams is a clutch late-game quarterback. Having those two together will give the Bears a good chance to make the Super Bowl, or at least, go on a playoff run this season.
"The two teams atop the NFC West have earned the right to be considered the conference's favorites, but the Bears aren't going to be an easy out." Graziano writes.
The Bears are 11-4, and it's thanks to some incredible late-game heroics from the Bears as a whole. Against the Packers, an onside kick recovery, a miraculous touchdown on fourth-down, and timely defense gave the Bears a huge win.
They're in a great spot to win the NFC North and secure the 2 seed in the conference at least. The 1 seed isn't out of reach either, as the Bears are in great shape to close out the year strong.
But, with this first season of Johnson and Williams going this well, the question of whether this team can go on a Super Bowl run is at the forefront of the fanbase's mind.
For Graziano, this team has the tools to do so, and should not be counted out when talking about the NFC's top teams in the Seahawks and Rams.
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