Caleb Williams is back, and so is Chicago’s push in the NFC North.
The Bears’ 31-23 win over the Falcons in Week 6 tightened a division race that already had the feel of something that could go down to the wire. With Minnesota idle, Chicago moved to within a game and a half of the Vikings at the top of the standings, and the Packers also made a move by beating the Cowboys 23-13.
That leaves the division looking a lot different heading into Week 7. The Vikings are still in first, but the gap is shrinking fast.
- Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota spent Week 6 watching the rest of the division close in, and the Vikings are no longer sitting comfortably on their perch. They are still unbeaten, but the cushion at the top of the NFC North has thinned.
The schedule ahead is where things get serious. After a favorable matchup with the Colts, Minnesota lines up against the Lions, Bills, Packers, and 49ers in consecutive weeks. That stretch is the kind that can flip a season in a hurry, and it looks primed to hand the Vikings their first loss.
Next game: Sunday, October 25th vs. Colts
- Chicago Bears
Chicago didn’t need a dramatic finish to make a statement. The Bears controlled the Falcons from the opening moments and stayed in command even in a one-score win. Williams looked sharp in his return, and Dennis Allen’s defense handled the first three quarters before easing up late.
What stands out most is how complete the defense has been. Chicago is currently in the top ten in both EPA per play and success rate, and that kind of production changes the conversation quickly. If that level holds, this is a playoff team.
Next game: Thursday, October 22nd vs. Patriots
- Green Bay Packers
Green Bay’s rough opening to the season feels like a different chapter now. The Packers have clawed their way back into the mix, and their Week 6 win over Dallas showed how quickly the momentum has turned. Jordan Love looked his best against a Cowboys defense that was struggling to hold up.
There’s more help on the way, too. Josh Jacobs was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list this week, and if he returns soon, the offense could take another step. Add Micah Parsons back into the picture, and Green Bay becomes a much tougher team on both sides of the ball.
That turnaround has given the Bears another legitimate challenger in the division.
Next game: Sunday, October 25th @ Lions
- Detroit Lions
Detroit’s bye came at a useful time. The Lions are 3-2, but they’ve given up at least 21 points in every game so far, and that has become a real concern.
Kelvin Sheppard’s defense has been one of the league’s weakest units, and unless the bye produced a fix, it’s hard to see Detroit making a real climb in the division race. Right now, the defense is threatening to drag the Lions down.
In Other News...
Bears Rookies Gave Caleb Williams Another Reason For Optimism
The Bears Week 6 win over the Falcons offered Caleb Williams and the offense another reason to feel encouraged, and it came from a rookie class that keeps finding ways to matter. Dillon Thieneman, Malik Muhammad and Zavion Thomas all had visible roles in the game, with Thieneman adding pressure on defense, Muhammad handling a notable workload in the secondary and Thomas contributing in more than one phase.
Chicago also worked in a deeper group of first-year players, a sign the staff is still willing to lean on youth as the season moves forward. Sam Roush, Skyler Thomas and Jordan van den Berg all saw the field, while Logan Jones also got in on the action, giving the Bears more evidence that this rookie class is becoming part of the weekly picture rather than just an emergency option. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Win Could Not Hide One Growing Cairo Santos Concern
The Bears got the kind of win that keeps a season moving in the right direction, but it also left a familiar question hanging over their special teams. Cairo Santos remains a steady enough presence on the roster, yet the kick that came up short against Atlanta only sharpened the concern about how far Chicago can realistically trust him when the distance stretches out.
Santos is now 8-for-11 on field goal attempts, and that is the sort of number that can look fine until a game turns late and a longer try becomes unavoidable. For a Bears team thinking beyond the regular season, the issue is not just one miss on one Sunday, but whether Chicago needs to keep a close eye on possible upgrades before a tighter spotlight arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Need Jahdae Walker's Edge Without More Costly Special Teams Mistakes
Jahdae Walkers energy has become part of the Bears appeal, but Week 6 in Atlanta showed the downside of playing on the edge. The second-year receiver drew two special teams penalties against the Falcons, including roughing the kicker, and both Richard Hightower and Ben Johnson made it clear afterward that Chicago still values the fire Walker brings.
The challenge now is keeping that edge from turning into drive-killing mistakes. The Bears like Walkers passion and want to coach it, not dampen it, which means helping him stay aggressive without crossing the line on special teams. For a team trying to sharpen every phase, that balance matters as much as the hustle itself. [Read more 🡒]