Oh, what a weekend it was just days ago. Week 16 provided some epic moments for Chicago Bears fans, and it all began with coming back to beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. It was the stuff of legends.
But then, on Sunday afternoon, things got even better when the Bears clinched a playoff spot all thanks to the Detroit Lions losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In some odd, gross paradox, Aaron Rodgers helped Chicago clinch a postseason berth.
That's not the point, though, as the Lions are now hanging onto their playoff hopes by the skin of their teeth. As for the difference between Detroit and Chicago, FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd didn't hide behind what has transpired this year in one of his latest segments.
"One coach -- one -- has really changed the direction of two franchises in the same division," Cowherd said. "Ben Johnson used to be at Detroit and wow were they dynamic ... look at them now. He left and went to Chicago and the Bears are 11-4 and the best fourth quarter team in the NFL,"
There isn't much to add, there. Colin nailed it.
The Bears have proven every naysayer wrong in Year 1 of the Ben Johnson era
Let me make this clear: no matter what happens the rest of the way, this Bears team, under Ben Johnson, has proven every single doubter and naysayer completely wrong. For anyone who thought it wouldn't work -- cough, Cowherd at the beginning of the season, cough -- I've got news for you.
It's working.
Johnson and Caleb Williams have been the perfect marriage, unlike what some may have thought before the season. Johnson is coaching Williams as hard as anyone has ever coached him, and the improvement this season has been evident.
Are there things for Williams to clean up? Of course, but his progress has been phenomenal and very visible.
The Lions, on the other hand, look like a team that is lost. They've lost their identity. They've lost their offensive edge. They've nearly lost their grip on a playoff spot, at this stage, and there is one common denominator here.
It's the Ben Johnson effect.
The Bears have very convincingly won the argument. Dan Campbell is a good coach, but the Lions are no longer the same without Johnson running the offense.
Read more: Ben Johnson's comment on DJ Moore TD catch keeps proving he's not Matt Eberflus
Instead, it's the Bears who are winning close games. It's the Bears whose offense looks to have taken a monumental leap in just a matter of months.
It's the Bears who have won the offseason breakup.