Coach Matt Eberflus’ team can keep its playoffs hopes alive with a win. The Bears have won two in a row and likely need to win out over the final four games if they want to make the postseason. Right now, the Bears have about a 7% chance of making the postseason, according to The New York Times’ simulator. A loss this week cuts those already slim odds in half.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields returns to the site of his NFL starting debut, when he was sacked nine times against Cleveland in 2021. The QB has come a long way since that nightmare.

The Bears (5-8) and Browns (8-5) kick off at noon Sunday from Cleveland Browns Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Fox. Here are the top five storylines to watch.

1. Joe Flacco’s still doing it

After twice being called up from the practice squad to start games in the past two weeks, quarterback Joe Flacco finally signed with the Browns’ active roster. The Browns gave him a deal through the end of the season. Flacco could make $75,000 for every regular-season win, and the deal is worth more than $4 million if he leads the Browns to a Super Bowl victory, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Joe Flacco’s new one-year deal with the Browns includes $4.05 million of incentives based on winning, per a source familiar with the deal.
 
Flacco will make $75,000 for each of the remaining four regular-season games he wins this season.
 
Then, should Cleveland advance to the… pic.twitter.com/90iHPulBl9

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 14, 2023

Since Deshaun Watson’s season ended four weeks ago because of a shoulder injury, the Browns have been searching for an answer at QB. They appear to have found that in Flacco. The 38-year-old threw three touchdown passes last week in a win over Jacksonville.

But at 8-5, and with a stellar defense, the Browns are absolutely in the mix in the AFC.

Flacco hasn’t played against the Bears since 2019, during his only season as a member of the Denver Broncos.

“[He] has been around for a long time,” Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi said. “And the thing that stands out is his ability to make every throw. He’s got a strong arm, really comfortable in the pocket. It’s impressive to see a guy that just got there have such good command of the offense.”

2. Can the Bears slow Myles Garrett?

The Browns boast the No. 1 sack rate among NFL defenses. They are No. 1 against the pass and No. 1 in total yards. Myles Garrett has 13 sacks already this season. He is a monster who the Bears will have to figure out how to slow down.

Bears starting tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright will have their hands full with Garrett, who was the first overall draft pick back in 2017. The Bears almost certainly will help them out with tight ends Cole Kmet, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan.

“There’s nothing he can’t do,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said of Garrett. “He’s got every facet of a defensive lineman that you would want. The guy can play nose guard, 3-technique, end, he can stand up and be an outside linebacker. He’s got every trait that you really want. He’s a pretty incredible player.”

There’s nothing [Myles Garrett] can’t do. He’s got every facet of a defensive lineman that you would want.”

Luke Getsy, Bears offensive coordinator

Fields has allowed 32 sacks in nine starts this season. He has not had a sack-free performance this season, and he has had only one sack-free start in his career. The Browns probably will get home a few times. The Bears might not be able to stop them completely, but they need to limit the pass rush if they’re going to win this game.

3. Can the turnovers keep coming?

The Bears’ defense has had three or more turnovers in each of the past three games. Just about everybody on the defensive side is healthy. The addition of Montez Sweat has worked wonders for the Bears’ defense, not just in the pass rush, either. With Sweat wreaking havoc, the secondary doesn’t have to defend for as long, and the Bears don’t have to blitz their linebackers to create pressure.

The Browns, despite winning last week, still turned the ball over three times. They’ve turned it over seven times in the past three games.

Sweat and the pass rush should find ways to throw Flacco off his game. Flacco was never very mobile to begin with, and he certainly isn’t at age 38. This week, the Bears lost defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to a season-ending ankle injury, which will hurt the defensive line. Veteran DeMarcus Walker will have to step up and second-year pro Dominique Robinson could see action this weekend, too.

After Jedrick Wills Jr. suffered a knee injury last week, the Browns now are without their starting tackles (Jack Conklin already tore his ACL in September).

On both sides of the ball, the matchups to watch are in the trenches.

4. Tough road test

The Browns have an underrated home-field advantage at Cleveland Browns Stadium along Lake Erie. Their defense is significantly more stingy at home than on the road.

The Browns are allowing 4.6 yards per pass attempt at home. On the road, they allow 8.2 yards per pass attempt. They’re better against the run, too. The Browns allow 3.8 yards per rushing attempt at home and 4.4 yards per rushing attempt on the road.

Additionally, both these teams really need a win. As Shaw Local columnist Marc Silverman wrote this week, the Bears are playing their first really meaningful game since 2020. But the Browns need this win just as much as the Bears.

The crowd in Cleveland could be a factor. Browns fans are going to make this one tough on Fields and the Bears’ offense.

5. Banged up Browns

Every team is dealing with injuries by Week 15, but the Browns might be the most injured team in football. Watson is out for the year. As mentioned previously, the Browns are missing both original starting tackles on offense.

This week, defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral), center Ethan Pocic (stinger) and safety Juan Thornhill (calf) already have been ruled out. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion), linebacker Anthony Walker (knee) and cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) are questionable.

Ward is the one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in all of football. He has been inactive for the previous three games as he deals with the shoulder injury. He would be a huge addition if he can play this weekend and would be a tough matchup for receiver DJ Moore.

The Bears, on the other hand, have been remarkably healthy. Ngakoue went on IR this week, but Moore and safety Jaquan Brisker are the only starters listed as questionable heading into the weekend.

“It’s great to have continuity on the lines,” Eberflus said of the team’s health. “On the offensive line, we finally have continuity there. And also on the defensive line, too. Really throughout the whole football team. It’s been great.”

Moore injured his ankle during Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions. He briefly exited the game but did return to finish the contest. Moore took an extra day off on Wednesday, sitting out practice, but returned on Thursday in a limited capacity and was a full participant on Friday.

Brisker suffered the groin injury during practice Wednesday. He sat out on Thursday, but returned in a limited capacity on Friday. Brisker is coming off a 17-tackle performance on Sunday against the Lions. It was the most tackles by a Bears defensive back since at least 1960.

“[It was] just tightness there in the groin, so we wanted to rest him that one day,” head coach Matt Eberflus said of Brisker.

Additionally, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (pectoral) and linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) have both been ruled out. St. Brown sat out last week against the Detroit Lions. Sewell played last week after sitting out the previous two games.

When there’s a football in his hands, “it feels good,” Brisker said. It feels right.

When he’s on the road, the Bears’ second-year safety always has a football in his hands. When the Bears board their plane to Cleveland on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, there will undoubtedly be a football in Brisker’s hands.

He’s always got one in his hands on the team bus or on the plane. If the Bears are at home, he’s got three or four footballs in his car at all times.

“It kind of reminds me of being a kid again, just having the ball around and not getting yelled at this time,” Brisker said.

BYOFB pic.twitter.com/LbiB48qXWu

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 19, 2023

Brisker grew up with four brothers and three sisters. The Brisker boys certainly caused their fair share of trouble for playing ball in the house. Jaquan remembered one time in particular when he and his brothers put a hole in the wall.

“A lot of trouble,” Brisker said of that day, shaking his head in front of his locker at Halas Hall.

It might seem like a gimmicky thing for a 24-year-old pro athlete to do, carry a football around. For Brisker, it’s not just about feeling like a kid again. He wants to prioritize the football when he’s on the field, so he’s prioritizing it off the field, too.

“It’s all about the ball,” Brisker said. “Just carrying around the ball, trying to get the feel for it. Just hopefully it comes to me the next day.”

The ball seems to be finding Brisker a lot lately. He forced a fumble Sunday against the Detroit Lions, knocked down two passes and totaled a career-high 17 tackles. In his previous outing, Brisker grabbed his first interception of the season against Minnesota.

His 17 tackles on Sunday marked the most by a Bears defensive back since at least 1960, according to the team.

“His instincts and his passion really showed up,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said this week at Halas Hall. “That’s who he is. He’s an aggressive guy. He does a really good job tackling. His instincts are elite. He does a really good job with that.”

Eberflus once had 21 tackles in college at Toledo. He joked that Brisker has “some work to do” to match his coach.

Brisker was all over the field in that game. For a safety, he plays a physical brand of football. This is a player who led the Bears with four sacks in 2022. He’s not afraid to play near the line of scrimmage and he’s more than a willing tackler.

“He comes in and he’s always texting me when I’m putting in the game plan, ‘Put a couple pressures in for me,’” Eberflus said. “He’s always constantly on me about that. ‘Make sure I’m part of the game plan.’ But he’s a ball of energy.”

He’s always constantly on me about that. ‘Make sure I’m part of the game plan.’ But he’s a ball of energy.”

Matt Eberflus, Bears head coach

Football is a unique sport. More than half the players never touch the football. If a defender has the ball in his hands even once, it’s considered a game-changing play. Many NFL defensive backs played on offense growing up. Somewhere along the way, a coach suggested they focus on the defensive side of the game.

That was an adjustment for Brisker, for sure, but Brisker loves playing defense. He’s good at it, too.

“If you’re around him outside of football, he’s kind of a low-key, mellow guy,” Bears safeties coach Andre Curtis said. “But out there, he’s got juice. He loves playing the game, he’s got passion for it. He’s a striker, he likes being in the mix.”

Brisker began carrying around a football late last season. Nobody told him to do it. He just started doing it.

“It’s just a psychological thing,” veteran safety Eddie Jackson said. “He’s got to get the ball. I feel like it is just getting used to having the ball. You know how people say you’ve got to sleep with the ball, live with the ball, eat with the ball. That type of mindset.”

The Bears defense has caused 11 turnovers in the past three games. Brisker has been around the football more than anyone. When he intercepted Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs a few weeks ago in Minnesota, he ran to the end zone and emulated the Vikings’ “Skol” chant toward the purple-clad fans. He clapped high over his head, with the football grasped in his gloves.

That football was right where it belonged.

“[I’m] just trying to feel it every single time,” Brisker said. “To me, in my head, the ball’s going to come around me at some point.”

What have you learned since the last time you started a game in Cleveland?

That day, of course, Fields made his first NFL start. Just more than two years ago, on Sept. 26, 2021, Fields made his starting debut and the Bears allowed nine sacks. Fields finished the day with 68 passing yards and, with the sacks, the team netted just one passing yard. It was one of former head coach Matt Nagy’s worst game plans.

So what has Fields learned since then?

“I mean, you can go on and on,” Fields said.

At the risk of asking an obvious question: What does he remember most about that day?

“Just being back in Ohio, first start, everybody excited, and then of course getting sacked, too,” Fields said. “Hopefully we can change that going back this weekend.”

Fields will return to Cleveland Browns Stadium for the first time since that day. The former Ohio State quarterback returns now with 33 additional NFL starts under his belt. Much has changed since then. Most notably, Nagy is long gone and Matt Eberflus has been in charge of the Bears for the better part of two years.

Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy have built their offense around what Fields does well, which has made a world of difference for the quarterback.

“Justin’s a way different player now then he was back then, a way different process than where we’re at,” Getsy said. “This defense poses a lot of challenges for us, and we’re focused on trying to find a way to attack these guys the way they are now.”

Justin’s a way different player now then he was back then, a way different process than where we’re at. This defense poses a lot of challenges for us.”

Luke Getsy, Bears offensive coordinator

The Cleveland defense is for real. The Browns still have Myles Garrett, who had 4.5 sacks in that game in 2021. This season, Garrett has 13 sacks, which ranks seventh among NFL defenders.

Over the offseason, the Browns traded for three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, who the Bears faced twice each season when he was with Green Bay and Minnesota. Smith has 3.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits this season.

“You want to play against the best,” Getsy said. “Those two, you have to account for at all times. There’s no question about it, when you’re going up against guys like that, your game plan has to be centered around those two guys.”

The Cleveland defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL with sacks on 10.2% of opponents’ pass attempts. This defense ranks No. 1 in total yards per game and passing yards per game.

Yes, Cleveland has given up 27 points or more in three consecutive games, but the offense has struggled since starting quarterback Deshaun Watson’s season ended. The Browns defense has been forced to carry the load. The addition of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who started the past two games, seems to have helped the offense considerably.

Getsy said that when teams have a chance to put up points against this Cleveland defense, they have to capitalize.

“Last week specifically, Jacksonville had maybe five or six opportunities,” Getsy said. “They took advantage of three of them and left the other two out there. You can’t do that or you won’t win. That’s a big part of it. You’re going to get a couple opportunities in a few different ways that we’ll hopefully show rather than talk about. At the same time you have to execute those opportunities.”

The Browns beat the Jaguars 31-27 last week with the help of three touchdown passes from Flacco.

Garrett hasn’t had a sack in three games. He will be a challenge for the Bears’ young offensive tackles, Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright.

“He’s the best defensive player on the field, so you’ve got to know where he is at all times, every play,” Fields said.

Moore is dealing with an ankle this week after getting tackled hard in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions. Moore tweaked his ankle after halftime and left the game for a short while. He did, however, return and finished the game.

Moore indicated after Sunday’s game that he would be fine, but he did sit out Wednesday when the team returned to practice at Halas Hall. The Bears will practice once more Friday ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

Additionally, safety Jaquan Brisker (groin), tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest) and receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (pectoral) sat out practice Thursday.

Brisker is coming off a 17-tackle performance against the Lions. That marked a career high for him and the most tackles by a Bears defensive back since at least 1960. Brisker was a limited participant Wednesday before sitting out Thursday. It’s unclear if the injury happened during Sunday’s game or in practice Wednesday.

Linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) was a limited participant Thursday. Fellow linebacker Dylan Cole (personal) returned to full participation.

The injury occurred late in the game Sunday. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus announced Wednesday that Ngakoue will miss the final four games of the season.

Ngakoue signed as a free agent with the Bears on a one-year, $10 million contract in early August, after training camp had already begun. He was a major addition for the Bears at a time when they were thin on premier talent at the defensive end position.

He came to Chicago after recording at least eight sacks in each of his previous seven pro seasons. He was a Pro Bowl player in 2017 as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he recorded a career-high 12 sacks.

In 13 games with the Bears this season, Ngakoue totaled four sacks, seven quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and 22 combined tackles.

“I think that they were good, it could’ve been better,” Eberflus said of Ngakoue’s impact on the defensive line. “He missed some [sacks]. There was a lot of times he had [the quarterback] in the shoe there and he could’ve got them down.”

Ngakoue had a sack in Sunday’s game and has played well since the Bears traded for fellow defensive end Montez Sweat. The addition of Sweat allowed the Bears to be more creative with their pass rush looks.

Ngakoue and Sweat have been the one-two punch at defensive end since the Bears added Sweat on Oct. 31. With Ngakoue out, veteran DeMarcus Walker likely will step into the starting lineup. Walker started eight games before Sweat’s arrival. He has 1.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits and five tackles for loss in 13 games this season.

“It’s sad to see him go out that way,” Walker said. “It’s more just playing for him and helping to continue going on what we’ve built and keep this momentum going.”

It’s sad to see him go out that way. It’s more just playing for him and helping to continue going on what we’ve built and keep this momentum going.”

DeMarcus Walker, Bears defensive end

Walker also was a free agent addition over the offseason. He signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Bears in March. Walker was coming off a seven-sack season in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans. So far, however, he hasn’t had that same success in Chicago.

“Just staying focused on the main thing,” Walker said Wednesday at Halas Hall. “Preparing myself for every Sunday. Continue to go out there and give my best and affect the quarterback.”

Other young players also will have to step up. Second-year defensive end Dominique Robinson has spent the past month inactive on game days, but he likely will return to the game day lineup. The Bears selected Robinson with a fifth-round draft pick in 2022 out of Miami of Ohio. Robinson began his college career as a quarterback and a wide receiver, so his transition to edge rusher is relatively fresh.

“It’s everybody just step up,” Eberflus said. “Step into their roles, lean into it. When you have injury, you have an opportunity for people. For [Robinson], for [Walker], for all those guys that are going to be in there.”

He briefly exited the game, but re-entered after only a few plays. Following the game, he indicated that he would be fine. But on Wednesday, he did not participate at all when the team returned to the practice field at Halas Hall.

Additionally, linebacker Dylan Cole (personal) and receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (pectoral) also did not practice Wednesday.

Safety Jaquan Brisker (groin) was a limited participant Wednesday.

It’s unclear how much time Moore might miss. It will be a situation to monitor as the week progresses. The Bears take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Cleveland.

Additionally, the Bears placed defensive end Yannick Ngakoue on injured reserve on Wednesday. Ngakoue broke his ankle during Sunday’s game. He will miss the remainder of the season.

Their last winning streak came when Matt Nagy’s Bears beat the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants in back-to-back games Dec. 26, 2021, and Jan. 2, 2022. Nagy was fired eight days later.

The Bears are playing well at the right time and have kept their slim playoff hopes alive. They likely need to win out if they want any chance at the postseason, but they’re not out of it yet – not mathematically anyway.

Here are the stats and numbers that stood out this week.

Dominant defense: The Bears had three more takeaways Sunday. Safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jaylon Johnson had interceptions in the secondary. Linebacker TJ Edwards scooped up a fumble on a botched snap between Lions backup center Graham Glasgow and quarterback Jared Goff (starting center Frank Ragnow missed the game because of injury).

Overall, the Bears have 11 takeaways over the past three games, including 10 on defense and one on special teams. That includes nine interceptions.

The Bears rank tied for 10th among 32 NFL teams with 20 takeaways. Their 15 interceptions rank second behind only San Francisco’s 17.

The Bears have had three or more takeaways in three consecutive games. Not surprisingly, it has been a while since the Bears did that in three consecutive games. They had three takeaways only three times all of last season.

Not since 2018, when the Bears led the NFL in takeaways, have they had three or more takeaways in three consecutive games. The Bears had a whopping 36 takeaways, including 27 interceptions, in 2018. Both marks led the NFL that year. Only one other NFL team (the 2019 Steelers, with 38) has totaled more takeaways in a single season since the 2018 Bears (even with a 17th game now). No defense has had 27 interceptions in a season since.

We know what type of defense we are and we know what we’re capable of. So just going out there and being like us, it’s no shock to us. We stuck to the game plan and you saw what happened.”

Jaquan Brisker, Bears safety

The 2018 Bears had three or more takeaways over four consecutive games from Weeks 3 to 7 (with a bye week in the middle), then did it again for another three consecutive games from Weeks 9 to 11.

The 2023 Bears aren’t on that level yet, but they’re playing well right now.

“We know what type of defense we are and we know what we’re capable of,” Brisker said. “So just going out there and being like us, it’s no shock to us. We stuck to the game plan, and you saw what happened.”

The ‘Tez effect: One big reason why the Bears’ defense is playing well is because of the addition of Montez Sweat. He has 3.5 sacks in five games since joining the Bears, including one Sunday against the Lions. He also had four QB hits and a pass defended Sunday. On average, Sweat was 3.42 yards away from the QB at the time of the throw Sunday, which was more than a yard better than league average, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

The sacks are obvious, but Sweat is affecting the defense on more than just the plays when he sacks the quarterback. The pass rush and the coverage are working well in tandem. A quicker rush has allowed the secondary to play in coverage for shorter spurts. Combine that with a secondary that is healthy and playing at a high level, and it’s resulting in wins.

Per NFL Research, the Bears had 10 total sacks in the eight games before Sweat’s arrival. Since the trade, they’ve had 11 in five games. The defense has improved from 27.3 points per game allowed to 18.2 points per game. It has gone from allowing 341 total yards per game to 272.2 total yards per game. It had nine takeaways the first eight games, and it has 11 over the past five.

#Bears pass-rusher Montez Sweat has a team-high 3.5 sacks in 5 games since joining Chicago in Week 9… while helping the Bears become a Top 5 defense during that time.

A great look, via @NFLResearch: pic.twitter.com/3PXPcRHyF0

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2023

Sweat now has 10 sacks on the season, counting his time with Washington. That is tied for 12th in the NFL. His 3.5 sacks since coming to Chicago already are tied for second on the team this season. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue leads the way with four sacks, and defensive tackle Justin Jones is even with Sweat at 3.5 sacks.

Blew by ’em: The 38-yard touchdown pass on the “free play” to DJ Moore probably wouldn’t have worked if the Lions weren’t playing Moore so tight on that play. Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs lined up in press-man coverage, right on top of Moore.

Teams generally will mix up their coverages and their looks. On average, teams are giving Moore a 6.3-yard cushion. That’s a fairly average cushion. It ranks as the 55th largest cushion average among 117 qualified pass catchers, per Next Gen Stats.

Teams give Moore that cushion because he can beat press coverage so easily. The Bears also caught the Lions off guard on this play, which gave Moore an extra step. He blew right by Jacobs for the touchdown grab.

Per Next Gen Stats, Moore has totaled 244 yards against press-man coverage this season, which ranks third in the NFL.

On 4th & 13, D.J. Moore beats press-man coverage from Jerry Jacobs for a 38-yard TD to take the lead.

Moore has gained 244 yards against press-man coverage this season, 3rd-most in the NFL.#DETvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/J4ZzH7d7A2

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 10, 2023

Running wild: Quarterback Justin Fields ran for 58 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. In doing so, he surpassed 2,000 rushing yards in his career.

He became the second-fastest quarterback to reach 2,000 rushing yards, doing it in 36 games. Only Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, who did it in 33 games, has done it faster.

Fields also is the second-fastest QB to reach both 5,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards. Jackson accomplished that in 35 games.

Fields ranks second all-time among Bears quarterbacks in rushing yards with 2,021 rushing yards. He trails only Bobby Douglass, who had 2,470 rushing yards during his Bears career between 1969-75.

Brisker’s big game: Brisker’s 17 tackles Sunday, including 13 solo tackles, marked the most by a Bears defensive back since at least 1960, per the Bears. It was a career high for Brisker, passing his previous high of 11 against Atlanta last year.

Brisker is third on the team in tackles behind linebackers TJ Edwards (131) and Tremaine Edmunds (84).

For the second time this season, the Bears held a double-digit lead over the Detroit Lions. Unlike three weeks ago, when they blew a 12-point advantage, the Bears held on for a victory on Sunday at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Lions, 28-13, thanks to some creative play designs, timely deep shots and ferocious defense.

Quarterback Justin Fields and receiver DJ Moore connected on a 38-yard deep ball after the Lions jumped offsides, giving the Bears a “free play.” It felt like a defining moment for a maturing offense, and we took a longer look at that play here.

Besides the free plays, here are the five big takeaways from Sunday’s game.

1. Close it out

“Finish” became something of a mantra at Halas Hall this week. Three weeks ago, when the Bears blew that lead against Detroit, there was talk of learning how to finish games. A week later, when the Bears made a fourth-quarter comeback against Minnesota, it felt like the first step in the right direction.

On Sunday, the Bears were flat out better than the NFC North-leading Lions. And when they had the Lions down, they didn’t let up.

The Bears’ defense held Detroit scoreless in the second half. The collective unit forced three consecutive punts, a fumble, made two fourth-down stops and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds capped it off with a game-sealing interception of quarterback Jared Goff.

“You definitely get that feeling when [we’re] up two scores, and it was just like we were getting a little happy,” defensive end Montez Sweat said. “We were like, ‘Hold on. Back up, because we just got humbled like two, three weeks ago.’ We wanted to finish on a good note this time.”

The offense kept the foot on the gas, too, scoring nine fourth-quarter points to put some distance between them and the Lions.

“The guys always stayed together,” head coach Matt Eberflus said. “There was never a point where the morale was bad or the guys didn’t have that. I told them that in the room. I said, I appreciate their leadership because they hung together through adversity.”

2. Brisker on a roll

Safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jaylon Johnson both had interceptions in the game. Linebacker TJ Edwards recovered a fumble on a botched Lions’ snap. Once again, the Bears had three takeaways. They’ve done that in three consecutive games.

Brisker led the Bears with 17 combined tackles, including 13 solo tackles. It was a career high and it marked the most tackles in a game by a Bears defensive back since at least 1960, according to the team.

“I feel like I was making tackles, but I didn’t feel like I was making 17,” Brisker told Shaw Local after the game. “I thought it was around five or six, something like that.”

I feel like I was making tackles, but I didn’t feel like I was making 17. I thought it was around five or six, something like that.”

Jaquan Brisker, Bears safety

Eberflus couldn’t believe that stat line from his second-year safety.

“Sounds like my college stats for crying out loud,” quipped Eberflus, who played linebacker at Toledo. “No, it’s unbelievable to get 17 tackles. That’s unheard of.”

Brisker is playing with confidence and swagger. His interception was his second of the season after catching one two weeks ago in Minnesota.

3. QB review

The way things are going, Fields is going to make general manager Ryan Poles’ offseason decisions difficult.

Fields is playing well within the system and within the parameters of what the Bears are trying to do. The Panthers lost again Sunday, moving the Bears closer and closer to the No. 1 overall draft pick. The Bears hold the Panthers’ first-round pick in the spring.

But, like it or not, Fields is playing well. Was Sunday a perfect game? Certainly not. But Fields played mistake-free football and did what he needed to do to win the game.

“Everybody has bought in the past three or four weeks, and we’re all coming together as a team,” Fields said. “I expect nothing but us to keep coming together, keep getting better, and just keep working.”

Fields ran for 58 yards and a touchdown. His scrambling abilities kept drives alive. The threat of him running on a trick play with Moore is enough to throw off defenses. Moore took a direct snap, faked a handoff to Fields and ran for a touchdown.

Fields finished with 223 passing yards and a touchdown on 19-of-33 passing. Was he holding onto the football too long, at times? Yes, that continues to be a concern. Did he miss some throws? Sure.

But the Bears are winning right now, and they’re doing it with Fields at QB. Bears fans might as well enjoy the ride for the next four weeks.

4. Making an impact

The trade to bring in Sweat from Washington continues to pay off.

Now, five games since being infused into the defense, Sweat continues to make his presence felt. Sweat added five tackles, four QB hits, a sack and pass defensed on Sunday.

“He just adds another dimension of physicality,” defensive tackle Justin Jones said. “He is just a really, really great player. I love having him. He’s just different. I ain’t going to lie.”

Sweat’s physicality and ability to affect plays, in turn, makes Jones’ job easier to drive pressure on the quarterback and elsewhere. Jones finished with five tackles, two quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks on Sunday.

“There’s not as much stress on me as it’s been in the past,” Jones said.

Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Sweat was an average of 3.42 yards from Goff at the time of his throws, on average. That was mark was more than a yard better than league average.

When Sweat arrived, the Bears were 2-6. They’re now 5-8 and still in a playoff hunt.

“I felt like it was a really tight group [when I arrived],” Sweat said. “I saw a group of guys that had chemistry and had each other’s back. I really admired that. I’m glad to be a part of it. It wasn’t [a similar] case where I came from. It was kind of like waiting on the season to end. Here, it’s every week it’s a new challenge.”

5. Playoffs?

Let’s be real a moment. The Bears just won back-to-back games for the first time since Matt Nagy was coach. As tight end Cole Kmet pointed out after the game, they don’t throw parades for winning two straight games.

At 5-8, bringing up the P-word (playoffs) seems premature. But nobody is afraid to say it in the Bears’ locker room.

“We know we can play with any team,” Johnson said. “We’ve just got to do what we can do to finish and make the right play.”

If the Bears win out, they would be 9-8 and likely in the mix for the final wild card spot in the NFC. For those keeping tabs at home, that would mean a six-game win streak to end the season from a team that hadn’t won back-to-back games in 700-plus days.

“It’s not even want,” Kmet said. “We have to win out. That’s where we’re at. Look, you play this game to get in the playoffs and that’s what you want.”

Last week, the New York Times’ playoff projection model gave the Bears a 2% chance of reaching the playoffs. With the win Sunday, that’s up to an 8% chance. Is it far fetched? Sure. But this team is playing well at the right time.

The defense rarely jumps. It’s the type of play that seemed to work countless times against the Bears back when Aaron Rodgers was the quarterback up north.

It’s the type of play that never works for the Bears. Whether it was Matt Nagy and Mitch Trubisky or Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields, the Bears never catch those breaks.

Until Sunday.

On a fourth-and-13 late in the third quarter, Fields yelled out instructions when Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson jumped into the neutral zone. Center Lucas Patrick snapped the ball quickly. Fields dropped back and unleashed a deep ball for receiver DJ Moore, who caught it in stride for a 38-yard touchdown.

The home crowd of 62,185 fans at Soldier Field erupted. The score broke a tie game and felt like the defining moment in a 28-13 win on Sunday on the lakefront.

Free play. Fields to Moore on 4th & 13!

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8S30C pic.twitter.com/dsjCD7FFPz

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023

The ironic part of it all was that the Bears never intended to snap the football unless the Lions jumped offsides.

“It was supposed to be a freeze play,” Moore said. “I seen the dude on the other side jump and, shoot, I took off on my side.”

There’s no perfect way to work on those moments in practice. It’s a situation that can’t really be fabricated because of the way it catches the defense off guard. That’s why Moore so easily found himself a step ahead of the defensive back.

The best way to practice it is to do it when it happens naturally in practice. When a defender jumps offsides in practice, the offense tries to take advantage of the free play. According to Patrick, the center, those situations arose several times in practice this week.

“We probably had, just in different situations, probably had three or four free plays [in practice],” Patrick told Shaw Local. “Justin was ripping ‘em, receivers ran a good route, we’re blocking. It’s just understanding the situation, where we’re at in the game and executing.”

Added Fields: “It happens every week, and the guys are ready for it, and we executed it.”

Just before that play, Fields dumped off a short pass on first down to fullback Khari Blasingame, which lost 3 yards. Fields ran for no gain on second down and threw an incompletion on third down.

Eberflus kept the offense on the field on fourth-and-13. The quarterback was yelling out dummy instructions. Even the other players were giving each other fake signals.

“Usually, it doesn’t work,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “I gave some weird sign, and Mooney looked at me like, ‘What the heck?’ I just knocked my head. They made a call or whatever. I can’t believe they jumped, but they did, and we took advantage of it.”

Usually, it doesn’t work. I gave some weird sign and Mooney looked at me like, ‘What the heck?’ I just knocked my head. They made a call or whatever. I can’t believe they jumped, but they did and we took advantage of it.”

Cole Kmet, Bears tight end

Eberflus credited Fields for using his cadence to get Hutchinson to jump. That’s what NFL teams call those signals when the QB is barking out orders at the line of scrimmage.

“It’s Justin,” Eberflus said. “It’s the hard count. He did a really good job of hard counting and just a really good job there, and they got them to jump. His use of cadence.”

Three weeks ago, the Bears blew a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead against these same Lions. This time, the Bears found a way to close out a victory.

Moore and Fields both scored rushing touchdowns in the game. Fields threw for 223 yards and one touchdown on 19-of-33 passing. He did not turn the ball over. Defensively, the Bears had three takeaways to stifle the Lions’ high-powered offense.

At 5-8 on the season, the Bears kept their slim playoff hopes alive, at least mathematically. They likely have to win out if they want to keep it going.

Matt Eberflus’ team will try to win back-to-back games for the first time during his coaching tenure. Quarterback Justin Fields is back in action after running for 104 rushing yards against this same Lions team just three weeks ago.

When the Bears and Lions last played, the Bears watched a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead disappear in a span of four minutes. The Bears are hoping to avenge that loss on Sunday in front of the home crowd.

Shaw Local Bears beat writer Sean Hammond is at Soldier Field for the game. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @sean_hammond, on Instagram at @bears_reporter and on Threads at @bears_reporter. Shaw Local reporter Jake Bartelson also will be reporting from Soldier Field. Follow him on X at @JakeBartelson. Shaw Local Bears analyst Marc Silverman will provide his thoughts and insights on X at @WaddleandSilvy.

Game day from Soldier Field! Bears and Lions kick off at noon. pic.twitter.com/jiAZ9XdICc

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) December 10, 2023

Below is everything Bears fans need to know ahead of Sunday’s game. Stay here all game long, too, for lives updates.

Bears hold on for a win

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds picked off Jared Goff late in the fourth quarter to all but seal the victory. The Bears ran out the clock on a win, 28-13, at Soldier Field.

It marked the first back-to-back wins of the Matt Eberflus era in Chicago. It also marked just the second win for Eberflus over an NFC North opponent. The first one came just two weeks ago against Minnesota.

The Bears move to 5-8 on the season. Their playoff hopes are still mathematically alive, but they needed a win on Sunday to keep it that way. For now, they’re alive.

Cairo Santos adds field goal, Bears lead by 15

After the turnover on downs, the Bears couldn’t take advantage of another short field. They were forced to settle for a field goal from kicker Cairo Santos, who knocked through a 28-yard field goal.

The Bears lead, 28-13, but it’s still a two-possession game. There was 9:20 remaining in the fourth quarter following the field goal.

Justin Fields scores rushing touchdown

Following DJ Moore’s touchdown, the Lions botched a snap. Jared Goff couldn’t keep hold of the football and Bears linebacker TJ Edwards jumped on the ball for a takeaway. The Bears took over at the Lions’ 29-yard line.

On third-and-goal from the 11, Fields ran in an 11-yard rushing touchdown. The Bears failed to convert on their two-point try.

The Bears lead, 25-13, with 14:12 remaining in the game.

Justin Fields has the Bears rolling!

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8S30C pic.twitter.com/Zl92WvF4U1

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023

DJ Moore scores on free play

The Bears faced a fourth-and-13 at the 38-yard line and elected to keep the offense on the field. Justin Fields worked his cadence and the Lions defensive line jumped offsides. Center Lucas Patrick snapped the ball immediately and Fields unleashed a deep ball for DJ Moore.

Moore caught the ball perfectly in stride for a touchdown on the free play. The Bears took the lead, 19-13, after the extra point attempt was blocked.

Free play. Fields to Moore on 4th & 13!

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8S30C pic.twitter.com/dsjCD7FFPz

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023

Cairo Santos ties up the game

The Bears defense came up with a stop on the first possession after halftime. Then the Bears drove down field, deep into Lions’ territory. The Bears had a first-and-goal at the 7-yard line, but couldn’t pick up another yard. Khalil Herbert had a run that went for no gain. Then Justin Fields threw two consecutive incompletions in the end zone.

Cairo Santos made a 25-yard field goal try. The Bears tied up the game, 13-13, with 8:38 to go in the third quarter.

Lions take the lead heading into halftime

After trailing, 10-0, to start the game, the Lions have fought back and taken the lead. Quarterback Jared Goff connected with receiver Josh Reynolds for an 8-yard touchdown pass. It capped off a 53-yard scoring drive for the Lions.

Detroit took the lead, 13-10, late in the second quarter. That would be the score at halftime, too.

In the first half, Justin Fields ran for 50 yards and threw for 81 yards on 4-of-8 passing. Running back D’Onta Foreman provided 25 yards on six carries.

JG 🎯J-Rey for 6⃣❗️#DETvsCHI |📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/zm1KAhEP3U

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 10, 2023

Bears stuffed on 4th down; Lions score

On fourth-and-1 at the Lions’ 38-yard line, the Bears lined up in a formation that indicated a QB sneak, but threw a pitch to DJ Moore, who was stuffed short of the line to gain. The Bears turned it over on downs.

Iffy said 🛑#DETvsCHI |📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/C3fKMAc2tb

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 10, 2023

The Lions drove 61 yards the other direction for a touchdown. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run on a pitch from Jared Goff.

The extra point, however, was no good. The Bears still lead, 10-6, midway through the second quarter.

Jaylon Johnson picks off Goff

The Lions drove into Bears territory, but faced a fourth-and-10 situation at the 35-yard line. Detroit kept the offense on the field for fourth down. Quarterback Jared Goff lofted a pass deep that was intercepted by Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Johnson returned the ball to the 40-yard line. He fumbled on the tackle, but the ball went out of bounds. A penalty on the return pushed the Bears back another 10 yards.

It marked Johnson’s fourth interception of the season. The Bears took over at their own 12-yard line.

.@NBAxJay1 read that perfectly

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/hEDdvVMfma

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 10, 2023

Bears add field goal, go up 10

On the Lions’ first offensive possession, the Bears forced a punt when defensive end Yannick Ngakoue sacked Lions quarterback Jared Goff on third-and-10 at the Lions’ 45-yard line. Trent Taylor picked up only one yard on the ensuing punt return. The Bears took over at their own 9-yard line.

On a third down deep in their own end, Justin Fields escaped two would-be tacklers to avoid a sack near his own goal line. Somehow, he escaped and picked up 19 yards and a first down.

Justin Fields making magic.

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/VegG9KS49w

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023

On the same possession, Darnell Mooney made a nice grab along the sideline and a defender fell down, giving him a wide open run into Lions’ territory. Lions linebacker Alex Anazalone drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness after the play. It went as a 28-yard gain for Mooney, plus another 15 yards on the penalty.

The Bears were well positioned until Fields lost 13 yards on a third-down sack, which pushed Cairo Santos’ field goal try to 46 yards. It was no problem for Santos, though, who knocked it through.

The Bears lead, 10-0, with 1:22 to go in the first quarter.

Bears score on trick play to open the game

The Bears won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. They drove the length of the field and scored on a trick play. Receiver DJ Moore took a direct snap with quarterback Justin Fields lined up out wide. Moore faked a pitch to Fields and ran behind his blockers up the left sideline for a 16-yard touchdown run.

The Bears took the lead, 7-0, with the Lions yet to touch the football. It went for an eight-play, 69-yard touchdown drive.

This was creative. Touchdown Bears.

🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/stFHHBgeqI

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) December 10, 2023

The latest injury news

The Bears are without receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, who is out with a pectoral injury suffered in practice. Receivers Velus Jones Jr. (illness) and Tyler Scott (hamstring) are questionable for Sunday’s game. Jones didn’t practice on Friday, while Scott was a limited participant.

At receiver, the Bears also have DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and practice squad call-up Collin Johnson.

Additionally, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is questionable due to a knee injury.

For the Lions, center Frank Ragnow has been ruled out with knee, back and toe injuries. The Lions also placed nose tackle Alim McNeill on injured reserve this week.

Update: The Bears announced their inactive players on Sunday. Quarterback Nathan Peterman, safety Quindell Johnson, receiver Collin Johnson, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, guard Ja’Tyre Carter and defensive end Dominique Robinson are inactive.

Jones Jr., Scott and Ngakoue will dress for the game on Sunday.

#Bears inactives on Sunday vs. Detroit:

QB Nathan Peterman
S Quindell Johnson
WR Collin Johnson
WR Equanimeous St. Brown
OG Ja'Tyre Carter
DE Dominique Robinson

Peterman will be the emergency third QB. Velus Jones Jr. (illness) and Tyler Scott (hamstring) are active.

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) December 10, 2023

What to expect from the Lions

The Lions are 9-3 and hold a three-game lead in the NFC North. That said, they’ve not been as dominant in recent weeks as they were early in the season. After nearly losing to the Bears a few weeks ago, the Lions lost to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day. They rebounded to beat the Saints last week in a one-possession game.

Here are the top five storylines to watch in Sunday’s game.

Silvy believes it’s time for the Bears to think long and hard about hiring Jim Harbaugh as their head coach. Read his entire weekly column here.

The Bears will have all three of their running backs healthy and available Sunday. Rookie Roschon Johnson was the lead back last time the Bears played. He believes his game is improving with each passing week.

Even if this is a pivotal point for Fields and the Bears, the quarterback isn’t putting any extra pressure on himself.

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Here’s what else was happening at Halas Hall this week.

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