Bears express gaining steam.(Chicago Tribune)

With Sunday's 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bears took their biggest step yet toward the playoff spot that has rarely been in sight since 1994, the last time the Bears played more than 16 games in a season.

And they still have quite a few steps to take, although only one game remains in their final seven against a team _ Green Bay _ with a current record above .500.

The win over Tampa Bay, the Bears' third road win out of four, gave the Bears a one-game lead in the NFC Central Division over the Packers, who lost at home to the Atlanta Falcons a week after beating the Bears at Soldier Field.

Meaningful thoughts of the postseason are indeed weeks away for the Bears. But at 7-2 they have their best record to this …