The Chicago Bears are rolling-and the Green Bay Packers are next in line to try and stop the momentum.
Winners of five straight heading into Week 14, the Bears are starting to look like more than just a nice story. They're beginning to resemble a team nobody wants to face in December. And after last week’s 24-15 road win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, it’s safe to say Chicago just earned its most convincing “we’re for real” moment of the season.
That victory in Philly didn’t just extend the win streak-it changed the tone around the Bears. Prior to toppling the Eagles, Chicago’s recent wins came against teams dealing with major injuries or still searching for identity: the Giants, Vikings, Bengals (without Joe Burrow), and Steelers (without Aaron Rodgers). Solid wins, sure, but not the kind that turn heads across the league.
Beating the Eagles on their home turf? That’s different.
Packers safety Xavier McKinney, who’ll be tasked with helping contain this suddenly dangerous Bears offense on Sunday at Lambeau Field, didn’t mince words when asked about Chicago’s rise.
“It shows that they’re a serious team,” McKinney said. “It shows that they’re not messing around. They’re trying to do exactly what we’re trying to do.”
And what they’re doing right now is winning the old-fashioned way-with defense and a punishing ground game.
Against Philadelphia, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had a modest outing: 17-of-36 for 154 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Not eye-popping numbers, but he didn’t need to be the hero.
The Bears leaned into their running backs, and it paid off. Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift combined for 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns, controlling the tempo and keeping the Eagles’ high-powered offense off the field.
Defensively, Chicago was just as impressive. The Bears held Jalen Hurts and the Eagles to 3-of-12 on third downs and forced two turnovers-both key ingredients in pulling off an upset on the road. The defense flew to the ball, tackled well in space, and made life uncomfortable for a Philly offense that usually thrives in crunch time.
Now, all eyes turn to Green Bay.
The Packers enter this matchup with a top-10 run defense, allowing just 98.3 rushing yards per game-eighth-best in the league. That unit will be tested in a big way by a Bears rushing attack that’s finding its rhythm behind a physical offensive line and a smart rotation of backs. If Monangai and Swift can replicate their Week 13 success, it could tilt the game in Chicago’s favor once again.
This isn’t just another NFC North showdown. It’s a measuring stick for both teams.
For the Bears, it’s a chance to prove last week wasn’t a fluke. For the Packers, it’s an opportunity to stop a surging rival and reassert themselves in the divisional race.
With December football heating up and playoff positioning on the line, this one has all the makings of a classic Lambeau battle.