Three Bears teams have won the NFC North since the franchise’s last Super Bowl squad did its thing in 2006. In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we wanted to know which of those teams was best — 2010, 2018 or 2025?
“All things considered, I probably give a slight edge to 2010 over 2025,” @tribeoc commented.
Also going with the 2010 team was @JMacchitelli23, but the most votes went to this year’s Bears, who face the Lions on Sunday.
“Why 2025? No. 18,” wrote @marcosg23909550, a tip of the helmet to Caleb Williams.
Next, we asked which Cubs or White Sox lefty hitter will have the best 2026. Michael Busch? Pete Crow-Armstrong? Colson Montgomery? Japanese arrival Munetaka Murakami?
“Montgomery has amazing, easy power and will have [the biggest] year,” @CalTh1726 called it.
Last, we asked if the Blackhawks, Bulls, Sky or Sox will be next to break through with a playoff season.
“Do the Bulls count if they make the play-in only to get bounced in the only game they get to play?” @sa_winner wanted to know.
That’s a hard no. On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: Since the Bears’ Super Bowl season of 2006, they’ve won the NFC North three times (2010, 2018, 2025). Which team was best?
Happy new year to all! It’s time for this week’s “Polling Place.” Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Sunday’s paper.
Poll No. 1: Since the Bears’ Super Bowl season of 2006, they’ve won the NFC North three times (2010, 2018, 2025). Which team was best?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 1, 2026
Upshot: Recency bias? It shows up here often. One thing is for sure: If you go by scoring differential, it’s not even close — the 2018 Bears get the nod by a significant margin.
Poll No. 2: Which lefty hitter will do the most raking in 2026?
Poll No. 2: Which lefty hitter will do the most raking in 2026?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 1, 2026
Upshot: Anyone else surprised PCA didn’t take the vote over Busch and the two Sox players? No doubt, the Cubs would be delighted to take another 34 homers and 94 RBI from their first baseman.
Poll No. 3: After the Cubs and the Bears, which Chicago team will be the next to break through with a playoff season?
Poll No. 3: After the Cubs and the Bears, which Chicago team will be the next to break through with a playoff season?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 1, 2026
Upshot: Seeing is believing in the Hawks’ young talent. Fun times are coming to the United Center. Yeah, yeah, Bulls, we know you play there, too.