LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears enthusiasts are reveling in the team’s impressive performance this season, and local business owners are certainly feeling the impact.

Apparel retailers have reported a significant uptick in business, with many expressing optimism that this trend will carry through the playoffs.

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Shoppers in Chicago who either purchased or received Bears merchandise during the holiday season are part of a larger trend, as local shops are witnessing a surge in demand for Bears-related items.

In the vibrant area near Wrigley Field, known as Wrigleyville Sports, sales of Bears merchandise are currently surpassing those of the Cubs, highlighting the city’s excitement for football.

Among the eager fans is Ben Newbern, who is attending his first-ever Bears game this Sunday. He stopped by to pick up some gear in the iconic orange and navy blue colors.

“It’s thrilling to finally see a team in this city that plays with such passion and dedication, and it’s really getting everyone excited,” Newbern shared.

For Wrigleyville Sports, December was one of its highest sales months ever. Among the hot sellers was anything with “Good, Better, Best,” the new Bears mantra.

“It’s been crazy, I mean the foot traffic in here, everyone’s excited,” said Carson Mellin with Wrigleyville Sports. “NFC North champs. It’s awesome, incredible.”

And around the block at Clark Street Sports jerseys of some of the newest Bears have been going fast.

“Kyle Monangai, he’s been our big one this year, him and Colston Loveland, the rookies. People are loving the rookies,” said Abby Bell with Clark Street Sports Wrigleyville. “You know, it’s the tides are turning here in Chicago. So yeah, it’s fun to see.”

The Bears’ winning ways are also helping local sports bars. Even though Rizzo’s in Wrigleyville is a Buffalo Bills bar, plenty of Bears fans have been finding their way there.

“Obviously a lot of places in Wrigley are a little bit more seasonal, but this time of the year, especially after the holidays, this is huge for businesses like us,” Rizzo’s Bar & Inn owner Andrew Rizzo said. “There’s no bigger sports excitement than when the Bears are good. When the Bears are good, there’s just a different feel and a different vibe in the city.”

Those businesses are hoping for a deep playoff run, and if the Bears make it to the Super Bowl, demand for team merchandise could hit record levels.

Caleb Williams eyes 4,000 yards passing as Bears try to clinch NFC’s No. 2 seed when they host Lions

Though Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears fell out of the running for the No. 1 seed in the NFC last week, they still have plenty on the line before the playoffs begin.

A milestone for the quarterback and a stronger postseason position for the team are at stake.

Williams has a chance to become the first 4,000-yard passer in the founding NFL franchise’s history, and the NFC North champion Bears can lock up the No. 2 seed in the NFC when they close the regular season against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Sunday.

“What’s been stressed is going out to win,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. “If that results in us getting the 2 seed, that’s what it is. But the message is going out there to win. Obviously, we understand what comes behind that as far as playing in front of our fans. That’s a huge momentum change in the playoffs.”

The Bears (11-5) went from finishing last in the division a year ago to winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018 in their first season under coach Ben Johnson. They’re set to make their first postseason appearance in five years.

As impressive as that sounds, they still have a few things to accomplish before the playoffs begin.

They fell out of contention for the top seed last week with a narrow loss at San Francisco, but can lock in the second spot. A win over the Lions or a loss by Philadelphia against Washington would do just that. Chicago would host Green Bay in a wild-card game and have home-field advantage in the divisional round if it beats the Packers.

The Bears would get the third seed with a loss to the Lions and a win by Philadelphia. In that scenario, they would host the sixth seed next week and would potentially have to travel for the divisional round if they advance.

Record, milestone in reach

Williams will almost certainly set Chicago’s single-season passing record. With 3,730 yards, he needs 109 to surpass Erik Kramer’s 3,838 in 1995. The bigger question is whether he can also get to 4,000. The Bears are the only team in the NFL not to have a 4,000-yard passer.

The Bears have dropped three straight and six of seven against Detroit, including a 52-21 embarrassment at Ford Field in Week 2 that put them at 0-2. But they’re now in a far better spot.

Lions letdown

Detroit (8-8) comes in with three straight losses and no shot at the playoffs after falling 23-10 at Minnesota last week.

It’s a big letdown for a team that set a franchise record for wins last year while claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record. The Lions lost two coordinators in the offseason, with Johnson taking the Bears job and Aaron Glenn becoming the New York Jets’ head coach.

They’ve struggled on offense and defense lately and are in danger of finishing last in the NFC North. They’re tied with Minnesota, with the Vikings winning both meetings.

“We would’ve liked to get on a little bit of a stretch there at some point in the last eight games and be able to string a few together and get out of that adversity,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “But we weren’t able to and it sucks and I wish there was a magic potion that would have fixed everything, but there isn’t.”

Eye on Goff

The Lions will need Goff to shake off his worst performance of the year and play more like he did against Chicago in Week 2 if they’re going to end the season on a winning note.

The four-time Pro Bowler set season highs with two interceptions and three fumbles and matched one by getting sacked five times last week. But in the first meeting with the Bears, he dominated. Goff threw for 334 yards and matched a career best with five touchdown passes, including three scores to Amon-Ra St. Brown. It’s the only division win for the Lions, who are 1-4 against the NFC North.

On the line

Detroit has been hit by its share of injuries, particularly on an offensive line that came in with two new guards after moving Graham Glasgow to center.

Rookie Tate Ratledge took over at right guard, while injuries have forced a rotation at left guard. Glasgow, meanwhile, has been dealing with a knee injury. He missed the game against Pittsburgh two weeks ago and was relegated to two special teams snaps last week, with rookie Kingsley Eguakun making his second straight start at center. Left tackle Taylor Decker, who will mull retirement in the offseason, is expected to start after missing last week’s game due to illness.

Coach Dan Campbell wants the line to finish the season with a strong showing.

“See if we can polish some things up, work together, work our combinations – just a little bit,” he said.

The takeaway

The Bears have been the best in the NFL at taking the ball away – and hanging onto it.

Chicago leads the NFL in interceptions (22), takeaways (32) and turnover differential (plus-22). The Bears have also committed a league-low 10 turnovers. Williams has 23 games without an interception, something no other starting NFL quarterback has done in their first two seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.