The Chicago Bears — yes, you read that right — are the NFC North leaders after Week 11. They improved to 7-3 after a last-gasp victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
However, they have defeated seven opponents with a combined record of 19-50-1, including zero victories over teams with winning records. Now, another potential stroke of luck, as the Bears will host the 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, potentially without Aaron Rodgers, in Week 12.
Rodgers exited the Steelers' win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday with a left wrist injury. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he is dealing with a fracture that leaves his status 50/50 for the game at Soldier Field this week.
Aaron Rodgers may miss the opportunity to beat the Bears one final time
Rodgers is a full-time owner of the Bears, as Green Bay Packers fans know well, and he'd love nothing more than to snap Chicago's three-game winning run and help out his former team.
But the Bears may catch another break if Mason Rudolph is forced into a start. They've already benefited from matchups against the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants.
They lost to the Baltimore Ravens without Lamar Jackson, gave up 52 points to the Detroit Lions, and allowed a fourth-quarter comeback to J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings in Week 1.
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If Rodgers sits, there's a good chance Chicago will hold an 8-3 record by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.
There is good news, though.
The Bears will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday, and then the Packers get two opportunities to beat them in the space of three weeks. Chicago also plays in San Francisco and gets Detroit at home before the regular season concludes.
We'll learn just how good this Bears team is in the weeks ahead, but for now, they could get an easier path to a crucial eighth victory if Rodgers doesn't get one final victory lap at Soldier Field.