Black Friday will hit so much differently for the Chicago Bears, as it felt like a massive turning point to a season that has already been stellar for the team.
The 2025 season reached its pinnacle for the Bears, who decisively beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-15 on the road. It's a win that finally puts to rest the idea that Chicago can't beat the teams with winning records, as they defeated the defending Super Bowl champions.
While speaking to the media, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams praised his teammates for the preparation they put into the game. Williams added a little something for the NFL to be aware of the rest of the season.
"We work our tail off as a group, myself included, and I want to maximize every single thing. ... I have such a talented and special group, we can do something really special for Chicago."
There's no more denying it: the Bears are for real
Chicago made one of the best rushing defenses in the NFL look like the Tennessee Titans, rushing for 281 yards and two scores. Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift combined for 255 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
The defense was even better with arguably one of the best performances of the season, allowing just 317 yards of offense and creating two key turnovers in the second half. They held the Eagles to just 87 yards on the ground in the victory.
This Bears team is much different from the ones the city of Chicago has seen since, probably, 2018, with their 12-4 season. They are resilient, winning close games and never quitting.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson has created a culture of winning that Matt Eberflus dreams of replicating. The team is bought in and playing at a high level.
Read more: Ben Johnson's perfect Bears locker room celebration was two months in the making
With the short bye, the Bears are 9-3, first place in the NFC North, and within a game of the Los Angeles Rams for the first seed in the NFC. Nothing seems to be slowing this team down, and everyone knows it now.