The Chicago Bears are experiencing one of the quickest and most exciting comebacks in the NFL, as they rise to the top of the NFC North and NFC heading into the end of the 2025-26 season. The team goes up against the San Francisco 49ers in what’s shaping up to be a fascinating game on Sunday, December 28, on the road, and no matter what happens, the Bears, of course, are already in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, they say it’s lonely at the top, and for the Bears, there’s only one other team in the NFC North that’s any competition, and that’s the Green Bay Packers. Well, the Bears just took down the Packers, so there’s no reason to be scared of them anymore.
Looking at the rest of the NFC North, coming out of Christmas Day, one more once-competitive team has now fallen out of playoff contention, leaving on the Bear sand Packers standing in the division.
Chicago Bears Don’t Have to Worry About the Competition
The Bears play NFC North rival Detroit Lions on January 4, but it’s safe to say that they shouldn’t sweat buckets over the game. On Christmas Day, the Lions dropped their game to the Minnesota Vikings with a 23-10 final tally, and what’s funny is that Minnesota didn’t even have their franchise quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, on the field.
That means the Lions are officially out of the playoffs, and the only two left in are the Bears and Packers. While the loss doesn’t directly impact the Bears for their postseason run, it’s good news, because it shows that this team is just in a weak spot going into their game against the Bears.
It would be unexpected, at this point, to see the Bears lose to a plummeting Lions team. But, knowing Ben Johnson, he won’t take any chances and will make sure Chicago is on their game for the matchup.
Stakes for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers Game
Before the Bears take on the Lions, they have a showdown against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, December 28, for “Sunday Night Football.” This game will put two of the best teams in the league against each other, so it’s purpose-made for a primetime game.
Both Chicago and San Francisco are in the running for the top seed in the NFC and both have a 11-4 record. So, while both of these teams are already in the playoffs, a win for either team on Sunday will keep their shot for a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason alive.
Looking at the NFL division standings, the Bears are in a great spot to win the NFC North but need to keep winning to do so, while the 49ers need to win to stay in the running with the Seattle Seahawks to take the top spot in the NFC West. No matter what happens, it’s exciting and different for the Bears to be in this spot late in the season, and we’re here for it. It’s historic what Johnson has done for this team.
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