The Bears did their part in Week 7, but the rest of the NFC North kept Chicago from making real headway.
Chicago opened the week with a 30-24 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, a result that pushed the Bears to 5-2 and into second place in the division. For a moment, it looked like the kind of week that could shift the balance in the North. Instead, the Vikings and Lions both held serve.
Minnesota stayed perfect with a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, even though the offense never found much rhythm. The Vikings managed only 275 total yards, but the defense carried the load by limiting Indianapolis to 215 yards, picking off Daniel Jones and hitting him for four sacks.
Detroit’s win over Green Bay came down to the final seconds. A Jake Bates field goal lifted the Lions to a 20-17 victory, with the referees also playing a role in the finish. The Packers had their chances, too, but Trey Smack missed two field goals, including a 35-yarder late in the fourth quarter that would have given Green Bay the lead.
After the Week 7 slate, the NFC North standings look like this:
- Minnesota Vikings 6-0
- Chicago Bears 5-2
- Detroit Lions 4-2
- Green Bay Packers 4-3
Caleb Williams’ return has given the Bears a clear boost, and Chicago has stacked two wins in five days. That still leaves them a half-game behind the Lions for second place, and a long way behind Minnesota.
The next stretch is even less forgiving. The Bears head to Seattle for Monday Night Football in Week 8, then turn around and face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 9. Seattle is coming off a 20-3 win over the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while Tampa Bay just rolled past Carolina with Baker Mayfield back in the starting lineup after his finger injury.
Chicago has momentum, but in a division where every team still has a winning record, the road back to the top is going to be a grind.
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