Bears assert Super Bowl candidacy: After Jeffery Simmons trade and ‘MNF’ win, NFC runs through Chicago

There is a new Super Bowl contender in town. The Chicago Bears always had ambitions of competing for a championship in 2026, and after their convincing win over the Seattle Seahawks on "Monday Night Football," it looks less like a dream and more like a possible reality that they could hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February. The 34-17 victory in primetime was a statement. It announced to the rest of the NFL that this Bears team has entered its contention window.

No bigger opportunity exists than a road game against the defending Super Bowl champions in a standalone TV window. The entire football world watched the Bears assert control over the Seahawks in Week 8. Anyone who questioned them heading into the contest now has little reason to doubt their championship makeup.

History does offer a warning, as the last time the Bears started a season 6-2 or better through eight games, they missed the playoffs. But this year's offense is far more trustworthy than the one that collapsed in the second half of the 2012 season. Caleb Williams has leveled up to join the same conversation as the league's most elite quarterbacks, and with a potent run game…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/