Bears Roar Back: Chicago Seizes NFC North Crown After Packers Fall in Baltimore
Chicago wins its first NFC North crown since 2018 after Green Bay collapses in Baltimore, setting up a playoff party at Soldier Field.
A Frozen Miracle on the Lakefront
CHICAGO—On a night when the wind off Lake Michigan felt cold enough to freeze memories, the Bears became champions of the NFC North without even taking a snap. Minutes after Baltimore’s Justin Tucker sent a 44-yard dagger through the uprights to beat Green Bay 34-31, the walls of Soldier Field thundered with the roar of 60,000 fans watching on the videoboard. Chicago (11-5) had not won this division since 2018; suddenly, confetti cannons meant for next week’s regular-season finale exploded in navy and orange.
The Call That Echoed Across the Midwest
Inside the Bears’ locker room, players huddled around head coach Matt Eberflus’ phone. When Tucker’s kick sailed true, the room erupted like a summer storm. Veteran safety Eddie Jackson jumped on a table, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds bear-hugged rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and 38-year-old left tackle Braxton Jones—who was in college the last time Chicago won the North—wept openly.
“We didn’t back in,” Jackson shouted over the din. “We earned this. Every bruise, every film session, every 6 a.m. run—it paid off right here.”
From 3-7 to Division Kings
Two months ago the Bears were 3-7, the coach’s seat white-hot. Then Williams found rookie receiver Rome Odunze for three touchdowns in a comeback win at Detroit, and the defense—anchored by Montez Sweat’s 13 sacks—started turning red zones into turnovers. Chicago ripped off eight wins in nine games, the lone blemish a one-point loss at Minnesota on a last-second Hail Mary.
- Week 12: 27-24 OT thriller vs. Detroit—Odunze’s 43-yard catch sets up walk-off field goal.
- Week 15: 17-10 slugfest at Lambeau—Sweat strip-sacks Jordan Love on fourth down.
- Week 17: 31-28 escape vs. Vikings—Williams rushes for career-high 67 yards, including 24-yard game-winner.
Packers Left Playing Catch-Up
Green Bay entered Sunday needing only a win to clinch back-to-back North titles. Instead, Lamar Jackson carved the Packers’ secondary for 328 passing yards and three scores. Down 31-27 with 1:08 left, Love drove to the Ravens’ 26 but spiked the ball with one second—too late. The clock hit zero before the field-goal unit could race on.
“We left it in the hands of the clock,” Love said quietly, eyes vacant. “Story of our year—close, but not enough.”
What Comes Next
Chicago closes the regular season at home against the reeling Falcons, then hosts a playoff game for the first time in seven years. The last time the Bears secured the No. 2 seed, they reached Super Bowl XLI. Williams, sipping orange Gatorade amid the chaos, smiled like a kid who just discovered tomorrow is a snow day.
“This city’s been waiting a long time,” he said. “We’re not done writing yet.”
Across the locker room, equipment staff folded fresh “NFC North Champions” hats into boxes bound for Pro Football Hall of Fame archives. Somewhere in Wisconsin, a similar hat—green and gold—will never see daylight. And on the shores of Lake Michigan, winter suddenly feels like spring.