Ben Johnson embraces frigid conditions ahead of Bears’ Week 15 game vs. Browns

The Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns will square off in an old-school, smashmouth game in Week 15, highlighted by extremely low temperatures.

And by low, I mean really low.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT (1 p.m. EST), and the high is expected to only reach 11 degrees. It could get as cold as -4 degrees with the wind chill.

So, yeah. Any hope that Caleb Williams will throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns should be set aside for a between-the-tackle showcase of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.

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Bears coach Ben Johnson wouldn’t want it any other way.

“It’s Bear Weather,” Johnson said. “It’s coming down. I know our guys are excited about it. We can’t wait to get out there and be back home.”

Bears’ quest for the 2025 playoffs begins in Week 15

Johnson has stressed the importance of not looking past the Browns in Week 15, which is tempting given the rematch against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.

If the Bears secure their 10th win on Sunday, they’ll be one step closer to making the playoffs. It’s a remarkable turnaround orchestrated by the first-year coach and his second-year QB, Caleb Williams.

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Johnson said Friday that Williams is trending in the right direction with the NFL postseason on the horizon.

“Hopefully, we can find a way to make it into the dance,” Johnson said. “I think he’ll be playing his best football when we earn that right.

“I know good things are coming down the horizon. He’s going to continue to get better.”

With a run-first identity, a physical mindset, and a head coach who believes cold-weather football favors the Bears, Week 15 shapes up as the type of game Chicago should be built to win. If Johnson’s confidence translates to execution, the elements could end up working in in the Bears’ favor.