The Chicago Bears secured the NFC North division title for the first time since 2018 on Saturday night, clinching the crown after the Green Bay Packers fell to the Baltimore Ravens 41-24. This marks a dramatic turnaround for a team that finished last in the division just a year ago.
The Bears’ division championship was sealed without them playing a game, as the Packers’ loss at Lambeau Field eliminated Green Bay from contention. Baltimore’s victory, powered by Derrick Henry’s four touchdowns, handed the NFC North to Chicago ahead of their Sunday Night Football matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have engineered one of the NFL’s most impressive resurgences. After a 5-12 finish in 2024 that led to a midseason coaching change, Chicago has compiled an 11-4 record and won six games after trailing in the final two minutes—the most such comebacks by any team since 1970.
Quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, has been instrumental in the Bears’ late-game heroics. His touchdown pass to undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker with 28 seconds left in regulation against Green Bay on Dec. 20 forced overtime, where he connected with DJ Moore for a 46-yard game-winner. Williams has embraced the leadership role, stating his goal is not just to reach the playoffs but to “win and win big.”
The division title guarantees the Bears will host a playoff game at Soldier Field in January, their first home postseason contest since the infamous “Double Doink” loss to Philadelphia in 2018. Johnson has emphasized the importance of playing in front of their home crowd, which provided crucial energy during the comeback win over the Packers.
Chicago can still improve its playoff positioning with a victory over the 49ers on Sunday night. A win would keep them in contention for the NFC’s top seed, though they would need additional help from Seattle losses in the final weeks. The Bears’ offense has shown versatility, while the defense has tightened in key moments.
This championship continues a trend of worst-to-first turnarounds in the NFL, with the Bears becoming the latest team to climb from the division cellar to the top in one season. The last time Chicago won the NFC North, under coach Matt Nagy in 2018, the success was short-lived, but fans hope Johnson and Williams can build a more sustained contender.
As the regular season concludes, the Bears will aim to carry momentum into the playoffs, where they haven’t won a postseason game since the 2010 NFC Championship run. With Williams showing poise beyond his years and a defense that has improved throughout the season, Chicago enters January with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, looking to end a long championship drought for the historic franchise.
