As we say hello to the final week of the NFL regular season, the playoff picture in the NFC North is almost set in stone — and it’s the Chicago Bears sitting comfortably at the top. Chicago has already clinched the division crown, while the Lions and Vikings have been eliminated from postseason contention. The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, are locked into the No. 7 seed, leaving very little mystery about who is getting in — only where everyone will land.
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For the Bears, Week 18 still carries real stakes. Chicago can finish as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed, with a win over Detroit or a Philadelphia loss to Washington securing the No. 2 spot. And if the Bears do grab that second seed, the reward is anything but quiet: a rubber match with the Packers at Soldier Field in the Wild Card round. With the division settled but tension still high, the NFC North enters the final weekend with familiar rivals, postseason implications, and one last chance to shape what comes next.
But first, a recap of the week that was for the NFC North.
Chicago Bears: Kings of the North
The Chicago Bears lost a heartbreaker to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Still, they had already clinched the division before stepping onto the field in Santa Clara thanks to a Green Bay loss to Baltimore on Saturday.
The Ben Johnson vs. Kyle Shanahan game was everything we imagined and more, with Brock Purdy and Caleb Williams going blow for blow in a barnburner. Purdy threw for 303 yards and scored five touchdowns, while Williams threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and zero sacks.
CHICAGO BEARS PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: What’s At Stake In Week 18?
As we’ve seen so many times this season, Chicago put the ball in Williams hands in the final minutes, needing a score to win. Williams did what he does as well—if not better—than anyone else in the league and drove Chicago down to the 2-yard line on a hook-and-ladder that saw Colston Loveland pitch the ball to D’Andre Swift, to set up a spike and one final shot at the end zone.
Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesWilliams drifted left, hurdled a sack attempt, kept his eyes up, and kept the play alive as only he can. Then, with everything leaning back toward him, he let it rip — a late-window dart to Jahdae Walker that skipped inches short of a season-defining touchdown.
As I wrote in last night’s Nightcap column, they didn’t get the miracle throw. But they got the message across. The Bears are for real. And the NFC just felt it.
Bears Next Game: Week 18 vs Detroit — Sunday, 3:25 PM (FOX)
Ravens Drop the Packers, Dash Division Title Hopes
Despite moving the ball efficiently and going the entire game with just one punt, the Green Bay Packers had no answers for Derrick Henry. The Ravens running back completely controlled the game in a 41–24 Baltimore win against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Henry ran through Green Bay’s defense for 216 yards and four touchdowns, exposing a unit that couldn’t get key stops at any point in the game. The Packers scored, protected the football, and even climbed back within three points late in the third quarter — but every bit of momentum was erased by Henry’s dominance and Baltimore’s ability to respond immediately. The loss marked Green Bay’s third straight and officially handed the NFC North title to the Chicago Bears.
Already locked into the No. 7 seed, the Packers didn’t see their playoff status change, but the concerns are mounting. Failing to slow down the run, allowing Baltimore to score on its first five possessions, and getting overwhelmed in critical moments made for a humbling night — one that raised real questions about Green Bay’s readiness heading into the postseason.
Packers Next Game: Week 18 @ Minnesota — Sunday, Noon (CBS)
Lon Horwedel-Imagn ImagesVikings Down Lions, Spoil Detroit’s Playoff Hopes
From a Vikings lens, Thursday night was about finishing with pride — and letting the defense put on a show one last time. Minnesota forced six turnovers and rode a vintage performance from Harrison Smith to a 23–10 win over the Detroit Lions, officially knocking Detroit out of the playoff race.
Smith looked rejuvenated in what could be one of the final home games of his career, flying around the field for an interception, a sack, three pass breakups, and multiple tackles for loss. The Vikings’ defense overwhelmed Jared Goff, who was charged with three lost fumbles as Minnesota repeatedly short-circuited Detroit drives. Despite limited offense and a depleted lineup, the Vikings protected the football and capitalized just enough, sealing the game late when Jordan Addison broke a 65-yard jet sweep for the clinching touchdown.
The win marked Minnesota’s fourth straight, even if the season ends without a playoff berth. For one night, though, it felt like a reminder of what this group could be — aggressive, disruptive, and fueled by a veteran leader soaking in every moment with the home crowd.
Vikings Next Game: Week 18 vs Green Bay — Sunday, Noon (CBS)Lions Next Game: Week 18 @ Chicago — Sunday, 3:25 PM (FOX)
Syndication: Detroit Free PressNFC North Standings Check
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