The Bears Are Back-and the NFC North Feels It
For years, the NFC North has been a familiar story. The Packers ruled the roost behind a string of Hall of Fame quarterback play, the Vikings had their moments, and the Lions-well, they were lovable underdogs until Dan Campbell turned them into contenders.
But now? The script has flipped.
The Chicago Bears are 9-3, and they’re not just making noise-they’re shaking the foundation of the entire conference.
This Sunday’s matchup with the Green Bay Packers isn’t just another chapter in football’s oldest rivalry. It’s a battle for the NFC North crown and potentially the No. 1 seed in the conference. Yes, the Bears are in that conversation now, and the rest of the league is taking notice.
From Afterthought to Alpha
Let’s rewind for a second. The Bears haven’t exactly been a model of consistency since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2006 under Lovie Smith.
They’ve won the division just twice since then-in 2010 and 2018-and neither run led to sustained success. But 2025 feels different.
This team isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. They’re winning convincingly, like in their 24-15 Black Friday takedown of the Eagles, and they’re doing it with swagger.
So much swagger, in fact, that the NFL flexed their Week 14 matchup with the Packers to a national 3:25 p.m. CST slot.
Their December 20 game? That’s been moved to prime time at 7:20 p.m.
CST. These aren’t just games-they’re events now.
And Chicago is at the center of it all.
Hot Dogs, Shirtless Celebrations, and a Whole Lot of Belief
This Bears team isn’t just winning-they’re having fun doing it. After quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes against the Cowboys, the legendary Wiener Circle in Chicago made good on its promise of free hot dogs.
Thousands of fans showed up. Then came the next challenge: another free hot dog giveaway if head coach Matt Eberflus-just kidding, it was actually Johnson-celebrated a win by taking his shirt off.
Well, after the win over the Eagles, Johnson delivered. Shirt off in the locker room.
Chaos. Celebration.
And a team that’s clearly all-in.
It’s the kind of moment that feels silly on the surface but speaks volumes underneath. This team believes in each other.
They believe in what they’re building. And the city is right there with them.
The NFC North Is Feeling the Heat
When a team rises, the rivals start squirming. And that’s exactly what’s happening across the division.
Over in Minnesota, Vikings fan Paul Farrington-host of "The Paul Farrington Show"-let loose a full-on rant about the Bears’ rise. He wasn’t just upset about Chicago’s success.
He was downright exasperated. From shirtless celebrations to hot dog giveaways, Farrington couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
And with Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy still struggling to find his footing, the contrast only stings more.
In Wisconsin, former Badgers basketball star Ben Brust took to the airwaves on ESPN Milwaukee’s “Kyle, Brust, and Nortman” to list off his top five reasons why the Bears are “frauds.” It was a classic pre-rivalry week jab, but the tone said it all: the Bears are under their skin.
And in Detroit? The Lions are suddenly wobbling.
After back-to-back division titles and a trip to the NFC Championship, they’ve lost some of their edge. Their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers dropped them to 7-5, and questions are swirling about whether they’ve lost their identity since Johnson left town.
This Isn’t 2018
The last time the Bears won the division in 2018, it felt like a breakthrough. But it didn’t last. Matt Nagy and Mitchell Trubisky were both gone within a few seasons, and the team was back to square one.
This time, it feels different.
The players have bought into what Johnson is building. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is drawing comparisons to Steve Spagnuolo with the way he’s dialing up pressure and disguising coverages. And most importantly, Caleb Williams is showing signs he might be the guy-the franchise quarterback Chicago has been searching for since, well, forever.
Yes, the Bears have taken advantage of a favorable schedule. But so have other top teams. What matters is they’re winning the games in front of them, and they’re doing it with a combination of physicality, creativity, and confidence that feels sustainable.
A New Era in the North
The NFC North has long been a two-team race, with the occasional third-party spoiler. But 2025 has ushered in a new era.
The Bears are no longer a rebuilding project or a feel-good story. They’re a legitimate threat.
And their rivals know it.
Whether it’s hot dogs, shirtless celebrations, or highlight-reel throws from Williams, the Bears are owning the moment-and forcing the rest of the division to play catch-up.
For the first time in a long time, the balance of power in the NFC North is shifting. And if you’re a Bears fan, it’s about time.