Caleb Williams, Bears Clinch NFC North, Updated Standings and 2026 NFL Playoff Bracket

The Chicago Bears' dream season continued Saturday when they clinched their first NFC North title since the 2018 campaign.

Chicago clinched the division championship with the Green Bay Packers' loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Even the most optimistic of Bears fans surely didn't envision this becoming a reality heading into the season.

After all, the team was just 5-12 in 2024 and coming off six consecutive non-winning years. Even a playoff appearance during the 2020 campaign was uninspiring, as it came during an 8-8 season and ended after just one game.

Still, there was reason for optimism even if an immediate division title was a lofty goal.

The hiring of head coach Ben Johnson was one of the splashiest moves of the offseason after he helped lead the Detroit Lions to back-to-back playoff appearances as the offensive coordinator. The Bears also brought in former then-Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as their defensive coordinator in another high-profile move.

▶️ Full Packers-Bears Recap

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Perhaps most importantly, it was reasonable to expect quarterback Caleb Williams to take a leap in his second season after he was the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NFL draft. The chance to work with an offensive-minded coach in Johnson and behind a new offensive line that included the additions of Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman only elevated expectations.

And the USC product has delivered to this point.

Williams has thrown for 3,400 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 369 yards and three scores on the ground as a runner. His ability to come through in the clutch has earned him the nickname Iceman and could be even more important in the playoffs.

It is not just Williams, though, as the two-headed rushing attack of D'Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai is difficult to deal with and forces opposing defenses into the box. That, in turn, opens up aerial shots for Williams and pass-catchers such as DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland.

Throw in a defense that leads the league with 31 takeaways, and the formula is there for a potential playoff run.

Chicago has overcome fourth-quarter deficits to win games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.

▶️ Full Bears-Bengals Recap

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Williams' game-winning touchdown passes to Loveland in the final seconds against the Bengals and Moore in overtime against the Packers are two of the most memorable plays for any team this season and further solidified his blossoming reputation as a clutch player.

Whether that all leads to the franchise's first playoff win since the 2010 campaign remains to be seen, but the Bears will open their postseason in front of the home fans at Soldier Field after clinching the NFC North crown.