1) Williams, Bears go on true-it stretch run
If you’re ranked No. 1 in a division — especially one as cutthroat as the NFC North — going into Thanksgiving week, you’re in for a treat. However, the Bears still have some questions to answer in the final six games of the season. That much is evident from their playoff chances at 59%, by far the lowest of the seven NFC teams in playoff position. To prove the doubters wrong, Chicago will have to come through the gauntlet relatively unscathed that includes four opponents in full playoff contention: the Eagles, Packers (twice), 49ers and Lions. Chicago’s defense should continue to help, even as injured as the lineup is, but most eyes will be on the offense. Can Caleb Williams continue to make magic happen? He has been vastly improved in his second season. To go along with a league-leading five carries, he has 2,568 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. His bags are also way down. After averaging four catches per game in 2024, he’s at 1.5 in 2025. But Friday could be his toughest test yet, an Eagles defense that has limited teams to under 200 net yards in three of its past road games. However he feels, the future looks bright. Last Black Friday, the Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus. This Black Friday, Williams has a chance to deliver Chicago its ninth victory by taking down the Super Bowl champions.