The expectations have gone from being non-existent at the beginning of the season to now skyrocketing to a potential Super Bowl run for the Chicago Bears.
Chicago went from starting 0-2 to now being 10-4, first in the NFC North, and fighting for the NFC's top seed. It adds to the type of pressure this team hasn't faced since going 12-4 in 2018, when nobody on this current roster was even on the roster.
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, coming off his best game of the season with an interception and pass deflection in the 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns, was asked about being in unfamiliar territory of facing pressure late in the season. Johnson gave an incredible response that might scare other NFL teams upon hearing it.
"We don't got no pressure. Everybody else said we're not supposed to be here. For us, it's just sticking true to what we know, what we can do, and who we are, just continue to play hard and executing at the highest level."
Johnson is on point about the pressure
It's that underdog mentality that has helped other teams make improbable runs to win Super Bowl championships. The New York Giants did it twice against the New England Patriots in 2007 and 2012. Even the Philadelphia Eagles did it in 2018, without their star quarterback, Carson Wentz, beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Why couldn't this Bears team do it? They have a top-five rushing attack with over 150 yards per game on the ground and a defense that leads the NFL in turnovers created with 30. Chicago has a quarterback, Caleb Williams, who can literally make all the throws.
It's true they haven't been here before and might be in uncharted waters as they enter what seems like a playoff game in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers. The one thing about this Bears team, though, is that they have always been up to the challenge and have been competitive all season.
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Chicago has the right mindset going into the Packers game as they try to move one step closer to an NFC North title. As long as they keep that in mind, the rest of the year, nobody can stop them.