After another thrilling, late-game victory by these Chicago Bears, the fan base is buzzing. Chicago is atop the NFC North and, currently, the vibes are good.
How couldn't they be? The Bears just went on the road and avenged a Week 1 collapse against the Minnesota Vikings. They finally have the franchise quarterback, while the Vikings are left with a million questions around theirs.
So, yes, the vibes are excellent.
But a quick glance at the latest NFC playoff picture and updated odds will quickly swing Bears fans back down to earth. It's a long season, and the odds prove as such.
Bears' place in latest NFC playoff picture isn't what it seems
Let's check in on the most recent NFC playoff standings and odds courtesy of the official league website.
For even further context, the next three teams are the Carolina Panthers (21%), Dallas Cowboys (7%) and Minnesota Vikings (5%). The odds aren't strong for any of those three, which goes on to prove that it is going to be a battle between three NFC North teams for what will likely be two spots in the postseason.
Right away, Bears fans might notice that Chicago has the lowest odds to make the playoffs out of any in the top eight at just 58 percent. And, to be truthful, it makes perfect sense. The road does get a little harder.
Of the Bears' remaining seven games, they face the Packers (twice), Eagles and Lions. If we're being fully honest with ourselves, all four of those very well could be losses. Now, on the other hand, they could be wins. But, those are the four toughest games remaining.
Chicago also has to play one more NFC playoff hopeful in the 49ers, plus games against the Steelers and Browns.
It is far from an easy road at this point.
But, what will make this even more invigorating of a season is if the Bears indeed make it into the postseason, somehow. At the beginning of the year, most Bears fans would tell you that they went in expecting around 8-9 wins; maybe 10 if we're being generous.
At this stage, they're already at seven. That's phenomenal and, quite frankly, completely beyond most expectations just a couple of short months ago.
Read more: Ben Johnson made a huge Bears bet that he officially can't take back
But, now, the real football begins. The tough, gritty, late-season games are going to define this team. Will Johnson's crew continue to prove that they, in fact, simply know how to win?