Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are coming off a difficult loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, December 28, in California, and it was close game to the very end, closing out with a 42-38 final score. Because of that loss, the Bears won’t be able to top the NFC, but they still hold the crown in the NFC North, so Chicago has bragging rights over the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
Now, the Chicago Bears have their final regular game of the season on Sunday, January 4, again Johnson’s former team, the Lions. Detroit is on a downward spiral going into the game and totally out of the playoffs. But, Johnson and the team won’t take this as an easy win, and they’re planning to come in ready.
“It always comes back to fundamentals, so it’s gap integrity in terms of the run defense,” Johnson said after the team’s loss to the 49ers. “We were playing a really good offense. I do think that has to be stated because they’re averaging about 35 points over the last five weeks. So they’re hot. I didn’t feel like our offense did our part in the first half.”
He added, “We did not possess the ball. We had a couple three-and-outs. You look at our defense and they got a pick-six, they got a couple punts, and if we bow up in the red zone, I think we feel better about their performance. That’s not to take anything away from San Fran; they did a great job, but there are certainly things fundamentally that we can improve on and we’re going to look to address this week.”
Chicago Bears Share News on D’Andre Swift
Bears running back D’Andre Swift hit a new milestone during the team’s loss to the 49ers on Sunday, December 28. So, even though Chicago dropped the game, all is not lost.
The Bears have announced that during that game, Swift clocked 1,000 rushing yards. It’s a big accomplishment for this solid running back.
“Though we lost last night, we lost to a worthy team, and it wasn’t a blow out. I will take it,” one Bears follower said on social media. “A lot of folks owe Swift an apology,” another said.
The team also shared the news that wide receiver Luther Burden III clocked 138 receiving yards, the most in a game by a Bears rookie since 1981.
Looking Ahead for the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have a real chance to go all the way this season. The team has an 11-5 record going into Sunday’s game, and if they beat the Detroit Lions, they’ll earn the No. 2 seed and host the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, according to NFL research.
Beating the Lions would mean everything to the Bears, and then some. It would be about more than a single win in the standings. Winning would mark a statement that progress is real, belief in the Bears is growing and the team is really showing up.
The Bears-Lions rivalry carries a history, pride and bragging rights that linger long after the final whistle. A victory would be yet another a reminder that this team is learning how to finish.
Bears Announce D’Andre Swift News Before Lions Game