Head coach Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are 8-3 with an opportunity to announce themselves in grand fashion with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday in Week 13. They are getting much-needed reinforcements, too.
The cavalry is arriving as the picture in the NFC North gained some clarity.
More immediately, they face a tremendous challenge from the Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions, in one key area.
Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon Return to Lead Bears News Roundup
Bears Getting Big Boost From Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon Returning
The Bears announced on Thursday that they were activating cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon from injured reserve. Both players have been out for over one month with groin injuries.
Gordon last played in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. Johnson has been sidelined since Week 2 against the Detroit Lions.
The most concerning aspect for the Bears is that both players are coming off aggravations.
They both missed time during the offseason and to begin the campaign. However, their respective returns to the field offer the hope of improving the Bears’ 21st-ranked passing defense.
Johnson, the Bears’ top corner, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was a Second Team All-Pro in 2023.
Gordon is arguably their most versatile defensive back.
The Bears must keep Nahshon Wright and C.J. Gardner-Johnson involved, particularly when Tyrique Stevenson returns from the hip injury that knocked him out of their Week 12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stevenson is out in Week 13, though, and the Bears will likely monitor Gordon and Johnson’s reps closely throughout this contest.
They also still have utility corner Nick McCloud around to help with that.
The Bears placed guard Luke Newman on IR with a foot injury he picked up against the Steelers and waived running back Brittain Brown to make several other moves to make room for Gordon and Johnson.
Bears Face Daunting Challenge in Saquon Barkley
The Bears are banged up up front and, even more, at linebacker. Defensive end Dominique Robinson joined Stevenson and the Bears’ top four linebackers in being ruled out for Week 13.
That is an ominous reality with Eagles running back Saquon Barkley up next.
“This feels like the game where Barkley plays a difference-making role,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote on November 27. “The Bears are beat up at the linebacker spot, and this unit gave up 160 combined rushing yards to Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in Week 12.”
Bowen predicted that Barkley would create “some explosive plays” against the Bears’ 28th-ranked run defense.
The Bears must also contain Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, a dangerous runner.
The Bears have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards by opposing QBs this season. Some of that is due to who they have faced compared to some of the other teams around the league, but the numbers reflect the eye test.
The last thing the Bears need is for Hurts to extend a play in a key moment and find Barkley on a dump-off that the RB stretches, or one of his other premier playmakers further down the field.
NFC North Race Heating Up
The Bears sit atop the NFC North with five weeks to go after this. However, they are not running away with the division by any means.
The Green Bay Packers are right behind them at 8-3-1 after defeating the Detroit Lions in Week 13, pushing them to a three-game win streak heading into their matchup with the visiting Bears in Week 14.
Even with the loss, the Lions are 7-5 on the season and far from out of the division race.
The only team that has a truly dire outlook as things stand is the Minnesota Vikings. They are unlikely to have starter J.J. McCarthy in Week 13.
The Vikings are expected to turn to rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer.
Even with McCarthy, who played in the Week 11 rematch against the Bears, the Vikings have struggled this season. The NFC North appears to be a three-team race this season, and the Bears are in control of their own destiny with it and the postseason.
