The NFC picture changed fast, and the Chicago Bears suddenly have a real opening.
A week after talk centered on the Los Angeles Rams as the team to beat, that confidence took a hit in a hurry. The Rams opened their 2026 season with a blowout loss, and prized offseason addition Myles Garrett is now on IR and set to miss extended time. A group that looked untouchable one week ago suddenly looks a lot more vulnerable, and Chicago is right there ready to benefit.
What makes the Bears impossible to ignore is what showed up in Week 1. Even with the obvious need for defensive improvement, Chicago’s offense flashed the kind of depth that makes life miserable for opponents. It can beat you in multiple ways, and that kind of versatility is exactly why the Bears have entered the conversation as the NFC’s best team.
The Rams’ stumble only strengthened that case. Matthew Stafford, the 2025 MVP, had a rough day, missing several open throws and coming up short on a sneak that could have changed the game’s entire feel. With Garrett sidelined and the Rams looking far more ordinary than expected, the top spot in the conference suddenly feels up for grabs.
That doesn’t mean the Rams are suddenly a lesser team. They’re still loaded, and one bad week should not be treated like the final word. But Chicago’s Week 1 performance, combined with the opening created by Garrett’s injury, gives the Bears a legitimate path to the NFC’s top seed.
The rest of the conference sees it too. The door is open now, and Chicago has a chance to walk through it.
In Other News...
Bears Week 2 Just Got Complicated By Minnesota's Quarterback Situation
Minnesotas Week 1 win over Green Bay already changed the early feel of the NFC North race, and it may have done so again for Chicago. The Vikings rallied behind backup quarterback Carson Wentz after starter Kyler Murray left with a concussion, leaving the Bears to prepare for a Week 2 opponent whose plan under center is suddenly less settled than it looked a few days ago.
Murray is still in concussion protocol and considered day-to-day, which means Chicago could be dealing with either Wentzs pocket-passing style or Murrays more mobile, higher-variance game. For the Bears, the difference matters: Wentz brings a steadier throw-from-the-pocket profile, while Murrays legs can change how a defense has to chase the game, even if his recent performance has raised questions. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Suddenly Have A Week 2 Problem Up Front
The Bears offensive line is suddenly worth watching closely heading into Week 2, and the biggest name on Thursdays injury report was right tackle Darnell Wright. He did not practice because of a knee injury, a development that matters for a unit trying to settle in early and keep Chicagos offense on schedule as the next game approaches.
Neville Gallimore also missed practice because of illness, while Grady Jarrett was held out for rest, and six other players were listed as limited. None of it is unusual for this point in the week on its own, but the accumulation of bumps and status checks gives Chicago a few things to sort through before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Defense Suddenly Has A Carson Wentz Problem
Sundays win over the Panthers gave the Bears a clean start in the standings, but it did not exactly quiet the questions around Dennis Allens defense. Chicago gave up plenty of yardage and points in that opener, the kind of performance that can be masked for a week but not ignored for long when a tougher divisional test is next on the schedule.
Carson Wentzs Week 1 showing for Minnesota only sharpens the concern. With Kyler Murray out, Wentz stepped in against Green Bay and threw three touchdowns, giving the Vikings an early jolt and a reminder that their offense can punish a defense that is out of sync. For Chicago, the timing is less than ideal, because the next matchup now looks like a test of whether the Bears defense can tighten up before a quarterback change turns into a bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]