3 NFC North Stats that emphasize the Chicago Bears' work is just getting started

2. The NFC North teams represent the top 4 in point differential through 6 weeks

Through six weeks, the Chicago Bears are third in the NFL in point differential. Yet, they are fourth in their own division. Likely a result of these teams' ability to dominate the turnover battle, the teams in the NFC North are also clearly adept at converting these to additional scores that enable the defense to put the clamps on their opponents deep into games

Furthermore, all 4 teams are in the top half of the league in points scored (including 3 in the top 10). Minnesota is currently 14th, likely due to having played one fewer game than most. In terms of points per game, all 4 teams are in the top 12, with the Bears coming in at number 12. On the defensive side, these teams are all top 10 in defensive points allowed and all top 8 in terms of defensive points per game allowed [FootballDB].

Despite technically trailing in all six of their games this season, the Chicago Bears have benefited from playing with a lead in their past 3 games. In these three games, they've also played with double-digit fourth-quarter leads and have truly only had one game-clinching putaway drive in this stretch (Week 4 against the Rams). Their mettle will be tested against their division rivals as the Bears will need to play clean football for 60 minutes to have a chance in any of their 6 division games.

The Bears' performance in recent weeks, though, if sustained throughout the rest of the season, will surely land them in the top 10 scoring offenses on a points-per-game basis, which is a good indicator of making it to the postseason. In 2023, 8 of the top 10 scoring offenses on a PPG basis made the postseason. Additionally, 8 of the top 10 scoring defenses in terms of PPG allowed also made the postseason and every team that was top 10 in both categories made the postseason [FootballDB].

Currently, the entire NFC North is either in the top 10 in both per-game scoring categories or on the verge of being so. The Chicago Bears will need to sustain their current output against their division foes to move ahead of them in the postseason race because, as things currently stand, all four teams are trending toward postseason play.