PHILADELPHIA -- The Chicago Bears are finally ready to start thinking about the postseason.

Friday's 24-15 win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field went a long way toward legitimizing Chicago's run in its first 12 games under Ben Johnson. The Bears have won nine of their past 10 games and moved to the No. 2 seed in the NFC, the position previously held by the Eagles.

Similar to the Bears, the Eagles entered Week 13 in first place in their division and with an identical record. Philadelphia had ventured through some one-score battles, which have become synonymous with Chicago's season, and had one more win (7) than the Bears (6) in those tight contests.

That served as the backdrop for Chicago's biggest test to date. The message sent a

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