Nick Wass/AP Photos
Pretend time is over, people.
Most of us have been had, to some degree or another.
The four-game winning streak the Bears took with them to Baltimore for a Week 8 game against the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens wasn’t screaming “Super Bowl,” “division title” or even “playoffs,” necessarily, but it certainly seemed to be hinting at some fairly good things.
Things such as meaningful progress, capable leadership, perhaps even general competence. Things other organizations view as bare minimums, not lofty aspirations. Things many less-bedraggled fan bases take for granted without setting themselves up to be suckers and chumps.