Ben Johnson sends urgent message as Bears face must-win Week 15 vs. Browns

On paper, the Chicago Bears (9-4) should have little trouble defeating the Cleveland Browns (3-10) at Soldier Field in Week 15.

Unfortunately, NFL games aren’t played on paper.

Instead, the Bears must deliver a strong and steady four-quarter performance before shifting their attention to the Week 16 rematch against the Green Bay Packers.

Yep, Sunday’s clash against the Browns has all the makings of a trap game. And Bears coach Ben Johnson knows it.

“We desperately need this win,” Johnson told reporters this week.

He isn’t wrong, either.

Bears’ NFC playoff position leaves no margin for error

The Chicago Bears dropped from the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs down to the seventh and final postseason slot after their Week 14 loss to the Packers. A letdown performance against the Browns could all but seal their fate.

MORE: How to watch, stream, and listen to Bears vs. Browns Week 15 game

The Bears’ remaining schedule isn’t kind. Week 16 features the Packers’ rematch, then it’s another heavyweight battle with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, followed by an end-of-year NFC North slugfest against the Detroit Lions.

So, yeah, Chicago must defeat the Browns and grab that ever-elusive 10th win.

“We have goals and we know what’s out in front of us,” Johnson said. “It’s just that awareness that every game matters. Every game matters. That’s where this week, you go from an emotional rivalry game like we just played, this week is equally important. We need this win. We desperately need this win.”

The Browns’ extremely injured roster helps the Bears’ cause. Check this out:

Bears must get off to a fast start in Week 15

Ultimately, this game will likely come down to the Chicago Bears getting off to a hot start in frigid temperatures. It’s something that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle emphasized.

“It’s important for us to start fast. In the previous game, we didn’t, and it was a big reason why we ended up chasing there at the end,” Doyle said. “It’s something that we’re really focused on moving forward.”

That slow start Doyle is referring to centered around Caleb Williams, who threw for less than 40 yards in the first half last week at Lambeau Field. Indeed, he ended the game with some dazzling touchdown throws and Houdini-like escapes, but, ultimately, it was too little, too late.

Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders should provide the Chicago Bears with an opportunity to catch their breath early in the game; he isn’t Jordan Love, and he shouldn’t force the Bears into catch-up mode.

Sure, Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns in Week 14, but it was against the lowly Tennessee Titans, who are in the mix for the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Assuming the Bears’ defense cashes in on some rookie mistakes, Williams and the offense should have no trouble padding enough of a lead to coast to a win in the fourth quarter.

But that whole trap game thing, right?