ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Chicago Bears had to take full advantage of the soft spot in their schedule to seriously contend for an NFC North title in the second half of the season.
Mission accomplished.
The Bears (5-3) are true playoff contenders just over the midway point of the season for the first time since 2013 following back-to-back wins over the struggling New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.
Chicago now enters a critical three-game stretch (over the span of just 12 days) versus NFC North rivals Detroit and Minnesota in sole possession of first-place.