A brutal 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 certainly snapped the Chicago Bears into reality as they went from the top of the NFC to the bottom of the NFC playoff picture in a split second.
After the loss, there seems to be a different mindset to the team. It certainly feels as though there is now an urgency for the Bears to act quickly in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson doesn't care about records or who they are facing. Johnson told the media he understands what this week means and made sure to send a clear message about what Week 15 means to this team.
"This week is equally important. We desperately need this win."
Johnson is all business in Week 15 as play time is over
The achievement of winning nine of their last 10 games was incredible for a team that had zero playoff aspirations entering the 2025 season. Heck, a two-game losing streak to start the season certainly made it more real that this team is most likely watching the Wild Card game from home after being eliminated from playoff contention. Now, they are looking to watch the Wild Card from home as a top seed in the NFC.
Chicago's ultimate goal, though, is to just get into the playoffs. Johnson and the team have already set a goal of 11 wins to get them into the postseason, and they are focused on achieving it.
"We have goals and we know what’s out in front of us," Johnson said. "It’s just that awareness that every game matters. Every game matters. That’s where this week, you go from an emotional rivalry game like we just played, this week is equally important. We need this win. We desperately need this win."
Ben Johnson was the first within the Bears organization to say it will take 11 wins for Chicago to get into the playoffs. His players have now started repeating that same goal. How are they riding the line between focusing on their next game (Cleveland) and doing what they need…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 10, 2025
This might be unfamiliar territory for most Bears players, since the team hasn't been to the postseason since 2020. Last week's Packers game was the first taste of what the playoffs will be like, and they want to get back at it again.
Read more: Bears' first Week 15 injury report delivers encouraging Rome Odunze update
Cleveland might be 3-10, but the team can't look past the Browns, as in this league, anyone can win on any given day. It's about taking it one game at a time and getting to 10 wins on the season first.