Wait, that wasn't supposed to happen.
We all had the Chicago Bears on fraud alert. They had previously won only one game against a team with a winning record, and that came against the Pittsburgh Steelers without Aaron Rodgers. But here they are, fresh off a dominant victory on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. An Eagles team the Green Bay Packers couldn't beat at home just three weeks ago.
The Bears' win shifts the NFC race dramatically. It means the Packers remain in second place in the NFC North, for now, although they get the Bears at Lambeau Field next week. But Chicago suddenly looks like a serious playoff team, and that could spell bad news for Matt LaFleur's squad.
Here are the updated standings in the NFC:
- Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
- Chicago Bears (9-3)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
- San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
- Detroit Lions (7-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Carolina Panthers (6-6)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
- Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
- Washington Commanders (3-8)
- New Orleans Saints (2-9)
- New York Giants (2-10)
Packers face a real fight for the NFC North title after Bears' upset win over Eagles
Green Bay meets Chicago twice in the next three weeks, and it suddenly looks like a daunting matchup.
The Packers would've taken first place in the NFC North had the Eagles won on Black Friday. Instead, they will have to defeat the Bears for that spot next week at Lambeau Field. A loss would give Chicago daylight in first place.
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There's reason for concern. While Green Bay's defense is among the best in the league, as we've seen repeatedly in big games this season, Chicago's offensive line is also in the elite category. Ben Johnson's offense dominated the Eagles on the ground, rushing 47 times for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Caleb Williams was less efficient through the air, with just 154 yards, one touchdown, and one interception on 36 attempts, but do the math, and that's 85 plays of offense. The Eagles ran just 51.
The Packers have to start fast and build a lead against the Bears, and they must limit their rushing attack. Jeff Hafley's unit must avoid a repeat of Week 9, when Rico Dowdle rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns against them, keeping Jordan Love off the field and leading the Carolina Panthers to a 16-13 upset win at Lambeau.
Let's be honest: We all thought the Bears' season was about to come crashing down. They just proved they're for real. Game on.