Everything is coming up roses for the Chicago Bears, who are coming off their fifth comeback win of the season with a 19-17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Now, Chicago is making a statement in the NFC North.
Following the Detroit Lions‘ 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, the Bears are solely in first place in the NFC North with a 7-3 record. The Green Bay Packers are right behind them with a 6-3-1 record as Detroit has fallen from first to third with a 6-4 record. After Chicago defeated Minnesota, the Vikings are in last place with a 4-6 record.
The Bears’ game against the Vikings was a must-win given Chicago was 0-2 in the division heading into Week 11. Thanks to another fourth-quarter comeback — and Cairo Santos’ game-winning 48-yard field goal — the Bears won their first NFC North game of the season while earning their seventh win in the last eight games.
After last week’s fourth-quarter comeback against the New York Giants, the Bears found themselves tied atop the division with the Lions. But after Detroit’s beatdown back in Week 2, they have the tiebreaker until Week 18’s rematch in Chicago.
Now, the Bears are in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. Next week, Chicago will host the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4), who could very well be without quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, the Lions host the New York Giants (2-9) and the Packers and Vikings will battle in a divisional showdown.
The Bears and Eagles have helped each other out this season. Chicago defeated the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and Giants while Philadelphia defeated the Vikings, Packers and now Lions.
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