Mon Dec 29 04:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, focusing on the Chicago Bears and their recent NFC North title win:

Chicago Bears Clinch NFC North, Ending Playoff Drought

SAN FRANCISCO – The Chicago Bears are heading back to the playoffs! The team secured the NFC North title Saturday night, ending a drought that stretched back to 2018, thanks to the Green Bay Packers’ 41-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The victory sparked jubilation among Bears fans and players alike.

The Bears’ triumph comes after a remarkable turnaround, following a disappointing 5-12 season last year. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has engineered a stunning resurgence, mirroring Matt Nagy’s feat in 2018, by winning the division in his first season. The Bears’ success story is one that underscores the league’s cyclical nature, as they join a long list of teams who have risen from the bottom to divisional champions in consecutive years.

Quarterback Caleb Williams has been instrumental in the Bears’ success, leading several late-game comebacks. His performance against the Packers, highlighted by a touchdown connection with rookie Jahdae Walker to tie the game in regulation and a game-winning 46-yard pass to DJ Moore in overtime, epitomizes his clutch play. Notably, the Bears have secured six wins this season when trailing with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, an NFL best since 1970.

“My goal isn’t to just get to the playoffs, my goal is to win and win big,” Williams stated. “I’m going to keep my head down…for this organization and for the city, to be able to be proud and happy, to be fans and supporters of the Chicago Bears.”

The Bears’ focus now shifts to their remaining regular-season games, starting with a crucial match against the San Francisco 49ers. A win would not only mark their 12th of the season but also keep their hopes alive for the NFC’s top seed and a first-round bye. Head coach Johnson is particularly eager to secure a home playoff game at Soldier Field, anticipating a significant boost from the passionate Chicago crowd.

“I felt that crowd and I was so blown away by the impact that they had [last] Saturday night,” Johnson said, “that I think that we all want to be playing a playoff game in front of them.”

To secure the number one seed in the NFC, the Bears need to beat both the 49ers and Lions in Week 18 and have the Seahawks lose one of their remaining games against the Panthers or 49ers.

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