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Chicago Bears: A Path To The Playoffs Despite The Abysmal 0-2 Start

Matt Brown

An 0-2 start to the NFL season is never the plan, and for the Chicago Bears and their passionate fanbase, the initial results have been disheartening. A narrow home-opener loss followed by a defensive collapse against a division rival has many questioning the team’s trajectory. Historically, the odds are stacked against teams that lose their first two games. However, a deeper look at the situation reveals that it is far too early to write off the 2025 season.

Despite the initial setbacks, there is a clear and realistic path for the Bears to turn things around and contend for a playoff spot. With a new 7-seed format, a favorable upcoming schedule, and flashes of talent on offense, the foundation exists for a mid-season resurgence. It’s time to push the panic button aside and examine the reasons for optimism in Chicago.

Chicago Bears: The Silver Linings of the First Two Weeks

While the final scores have been disappointing, the Bears have shown some encouraging signs. The primary reason for hope lies with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The No. 1 overall pick has demonstrated the very playmaking ability that made him a generational prospect. He has shown poise under pressure, extended plays with his legs, and made several impressive throws on the move. Though the offense is still finding its rhythm under a new system, Williams has fared well, avoiding major mistakes and keeping the team competitive.

The offense hasn’t been without its struggles, but the talent is undeniable. When the protection holds, Williams has shown the capacity to lead scoring drives. The key will be achieving consistency and eliminating the defensive lapses that have put the offense in difficult positions. While the defense gave up 52 points to the Lions, it’s important to remember this is a unit still gelling under a new coaching philosophy. There is talent on that side of the ball, but it will take time to execute effectively.

Charting a Course Through a Favorable Schedule

The most compelling reason for optimism is the Bears’ remaining schedule. While the start was tough, the path forward presents several opportunities to stack wins and build momentum. The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint, and Chicago’s upcoming games are significantly more manageable than their opening slate.

Looking ahead, the Bears have a stretch of very winnable contests. Key matchups include:

  • Week 4 at Las Vegas Raiders (1-1): A road trip against a team that is also finding its identity. This is a prime opportunity for the Bears to secure a victory.
  • Week 6 at Washington Commanders (1-1): A Monday night game against an injured team, potentially including star QB Jayden Daniels. This presents a winnable primetime matchup.
  • Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints (0-2): A home game against another winless team currently in a rebuilding phase. Spencer Rattler hasn’t won a start in his career.
  • Week 10 vs. New York Giants (0-2): Another home contest against a struggling opponent. This one is tricky to predict since the Giants could make a QB change.
  • Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns (0-2): A late-season home game against a team facing its own offensive challenges. Another team who could make a QB change but the options are very grim.

If the Bears can capitalize on these opportunities, they could easily find themselves at or above .500 heading into the final stretch of the season. Securing wins in these five games would get them to 5-9, meaning they would only need to find a few more victories against tougher opponents to be in the playoff conversation.

The Path to the 7-Seed

In today’s NFL, a 9-8 record is often enough to secure the final Wild Card spot. For the Bears, reaching that mark is not an insurmountable task. After their bye in Week 5, the team will have a chance to reset, get healthy, and fine-tune their schemes.

A potential roadmap to nine wins could involve winning the five favorable games listed above, splitting the season series with the Minnesota Vikings by winning at their stadium in Week 11, and pulling off upsets at home. Soldier Field will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions later in the season. Winning two of those three challenging home games is well within the realm of possibility.

The 0-2 start is a setback, not a death sentence. The expanded playoff format was designed to keep more teams in the hunt later into the season. The Bears’ schedule lightens up considerably, and their franchise quarterback has already shown flashes of brilliance. The defense has talent and simply needs to execute more consistently. If the team can weather this early storm and capitalize on the winnable games ahead, they have every chance to be playing meaningful football in January.

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