The Bears are feeling themselves. The Patriots are about to test that confidence

There’s nothing quite like a road victory in the NFL, striding into an opponent’s house and walking out with a win. And when you can take over their stands, too? Well, that’s about as good as it gets — and after Sunday’s thunderous victory over the Falcons at Soldier Field South (f/k/a Mercedes-Benz Stadium), that’s where the Chicago Bears are living right now. 

But this is the NFL, which doesn’t stand for What Have You Done Lately but really should. Last Sunday’s outcome has no bearing on this Sunday — or, in the Bears’ case, Thursday. Exactly 100 hours after walking off the field in Atlanta, the Bears will face New England, and then learn more about whether this team’s skills match its vibes. 

“This week in particular, you’ve got to turn the page extremely quickly,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday. “We enjoyed the plane ride home. … We know how big it is to string good performances back-to-back in this league. That’s what the good teams do, and that’s what we’re looking to do here this week.” 

Sunday marked the return of two notable Bears — quarterback Caleb Williams and defensive back Kyler Gordon — and both demonstrated exactly what this team is capable of when everyone’s living up to their potential. 

Williams, who missed three games with a hamstring injury, was 30 of 36 for 305 yards and a touchdown. Gordon, playing for the first time all season following a calf injury, totaled three sacks and two decisive forced fumbles on just 17 snaps. Both earned game balls for their effort in this delirious postgame scene, where Johnson seems so fired up he’s ready to jump out of his own skin:

Even taking into account the fact that everyone involved is well aware he’s on camera, that’s an inspired locker room. This is a team that’s clicking right now with the kind of contagious energy that can galvanize both an organization and a fanbase. The challenge now? Replicating that performance four days later. 

“This week will be even more challenging on a short week,” Johnson said. “(Players’) bodies might not feel 100%, and yet we still have to play with that same relentless attitude and demeanor play in and play out throughout.”

New England, riding a three-game winning streak, will be a benchmark for this version of the Bears. The Patriots’ defense is surrendering 300.5 yards and 18.8 points per game, sixth- and fifth-best in the league, respectively. After three unspectacular games to start the season, Drake Maye has shaken off all the “fluke” labels, throwing 10 touchdowns against one interception the last three games.

Speaking Tuesday about the Bears’ defense, Johnson offered up perspective that applies to the team as a whole: “It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process,” he said. “I think we saw glimpses of it throughout the year last year, I think we’re seeing more of it this year and last week was a great indicator of the style of football that we want to play as a team.”

Thursday begins a rare two-game stretch in which the Bears play both of last year’s Super Bowl participants in succession. Still on the docket later this season: Jacksonville, Buffalo and four divisional games, including two against Detroit. At 4-2, the Bears are firmly in the playoff picture — but so too are all three other divisional opponents. The Vikings stand at 5-0, and the Packers (4-2) and Lions (3-2) currently hold the other two wild-card spots alongside Chicago. 

After Sunday’s game, Williams tried to temper the momentary joy in search of a larger truth. “Obviously, it’s great to get the win, but when you win, it covers up things. When you lose, it shows everything,” he said. “We’ll go back (to Chicago), we’ll be truth-tellers about ourselves and look in the mirror and figure out what we need to fix and get better.”

There’s a long way to go in this season, but last week seemed to herald a rejuvenation for Chicago, a sense that more isn’t just possible but expected. These are good days right now for the Bears, and the opportunity to keep them rolling begins Thursday night.