Windy City Gridiron
SB Nation Reacts is a survey of fans across the NFL, and throughout the year, we’ll ask questions of the most plugged-in Bears fans and fans across the country. You can sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
When I saw the emailed Reacts surveys this week had a question asking NFL fans who would win the NFC North, I assumed the vote would not be in the Chicago Bears’ favor.
The Bears may be leading the division — and the NFC — at (9-3), but they haven’t won the North since 2018, and that was also the last time the Bears had a winning record.
The Green Bay Packers are a half game behind the Bears at (8-3-1), and at the time of the vote, the Lions were in third at (7-5), but last night they beat the Cowboys to climb to (8-5).
But still, 51% of NFL fans think the Bears will hold onto the top spot in the NFC North at season’s end, which is surprising. I would have guessed that most fans were on fraud watch with them and anticipating their downfall.
The winner of Sunday’s Bears vs Packers game will have the upper hand in the division. When it comes to the playoffs, a Bears win will give them a 90% probability to make the postseason (per NFL.com), while a Packers win would give them a 94% chance.
Besides the national Reacts surveys that are emailed to fans every week, each NFL site at SB Nation gets its own survey question, so while you’re voting on your confidence in the Bears franchise, Packer fans are doing the same about their team over at Acme Packing Co. Our confidence is a bit down this week, from a seasson high 99% a week ago, while Green Bay’s confidence is up after their Thanksgiving win.
Just a few weeks ago, following Green Bay’s loss to the Eagles, only 16% of Packer fans were confident in their team. It was their second consecutive loss, and some of their fans were calling for head coach Matt LeFleur to be fired.
But three wins in a row by the Packers, and they’ve positioned themselves to take the NFC North lead from the Bears, who have been in first place since November 16.
The Bears have a chance to make another statement on the road as they go for their sixth win in a row, which is something they haven’t done since their NFC Championship season of 2006.
