The Chicago Bears are now 3-2 after a three-game winning streak under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
The third win came in dramatic fashion, with kicker Jake Moody being called up from the practice squad hours before Monday Night Football and delivering a 38-yard game-winning field goal for a 25-24 win over the Washington Commanders.
Stephen A. Smith talked about the Bears on ESPN's First Take and pointed out how the NFC North could be up for grabs, with Chicago right in the mix. Three out of the four teams in the division have three wins, but Smith mentioned how vulnerable the other divisional teams have been.
He mentioned that the Green Bay Packers had a 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 30-17, and that the Minnesota Vikings are experiencing quarterback struggles with JJ McCarthy out of the lineup due to an ankle injury.
"When trailing or tied this season, Caleb Williams is completing 64% of his passes, six touchdowns, just one interception, with a passer rating of 103.6," Smith said. "We're talking about this brother like throwing him out like the bath water. But you've got people speculating like, 'Can Chicago make noise in the NFC?' You look at Green Bay and how they just gave up 40 to Dallas. You look at Detroit, how they just lost to KC, right? You look at Minnesota, no JJ McCarty. Carson Wentz ain't the answer. ...Chicago is right there, and I think they're on the come up."
While Chicago as a whole has looked different during this three-game winning streak, Caleb Williams has also excelled in big moments. Overall, he has thrown for 1,179 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
He also has 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. In the Bears' Monday Night Football win, he finished with 252 passing yards and two total touchdowns.
Chicago has a while before its next divisional game with the Vikings on Nov. 16. The Bears face the New Orleans Saints (Oct. 19), Baltimore Ravens (Oct. 26) and New York Giants (Nov. 9).
The Bears have a chance to split the season series with the Lions and Vikings after losing the first games of their matchup. Chicago has yet to face its bitter rival, the Packers, this season, but sweeping them would be a massive division win.
This Sunday, the Bears take on the Saints at Soldier Field at noon CT on Fox.