The Bears enter the Divisional Round with one of the league’s most efficient rushing attacks, led by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. They excel both outside the tackles and under center, giving them flexibility to control the clock and sustain drives. Against high-powered passing offenses, Chicago’s best chance is to keep the ball on the ground, limit turnovers, and shorten the game for their defense.
Defensively, the Bears struggled against deep passes in 2025, ranking near the bottom in NFL Pro’s metrics. Explosive passing plays from Stafford or other elite quarterbacks are likely to challenge the secondary. Chicago will need disciplined coverage, consistent pressure, and opportunistic turnovers to keep games close.
Special teams, clock management, and situational execution will also be critical. The Bears’ playoff hopes hinge on their ability to impose a physical style of play while avoiding big mistakes. If their ground game clicks and the defense can bend without breaking, Chicago has a path to extend their playoff run.
