The NFL can look one way one day and completely flip over the next, which is what the Chicago Bears are facing with the latest news.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the media that tight end Sam LaPorta went through a procedure on his back that will most likely end his 2025 season. LaPorta was placed on IR before the Lions' 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11.
Chicago's shot at winning the NFC North just opened up
The Bears are currently in first place in the NFC North with their 7-3 record. Chicago is coming off an impressive last-second win over the Minnesota Vikings, 19-17, to pick up its first division win of 2025 and its second in the last two seasons.
Detroit's loss to the Eagles sent them to a 6-4 record and third place in the NFC North, after maintaining a half-game lead over the Green Bay Packers entering Week 11. Green Bay now finds itself a half-game behind the Bears for first in the NFC North with a 6-3-1 record.
Chicago and Detroit don't face off until the final week of the NFL season, when the Lions travel to Soldier Field. The last time the two teams met was Week 2, when the Lions took care of business with a 52-21 blowout win over the Bears.
The Bears have been a very different football team since that game, as it helped spark their run of seven wins in their last eight games. Chicago's only loss during that span was to the Baltimore Ravens 30-16.
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It has been quite the journey there, but the Bears are getting the opportunity to maintain their lead in the division. Chicago will have to pick up some wins in the division to get there, with two games against the Packers and the Week 18 Lions game still on the calendar.