There is joy in the second city on Saturday night.
The Chicago Bears have clinched their first NFC North title since 2018 thanks to the demise of the archrival Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay's loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday bestowed the division crown upon the Bears less than 24 hours before they kick off against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
Rookie head coach Ben Johnson has authored a massive turnabout for the Bears, who had gone four seasons since last reaching the playoffs. Johnson has also done wonders for 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, as the quarterback's game has improved and his clutch play has become something to behold for Bears fans.
The last time the franchise won the division was under another rookie head coach in Matt Nagy with another second-year first round QB, Mitchell Trubisky.
Obviously, Chicago supporters are hoping for a far lengthier run of fair weather than the short-lived Nagy-Trubisky era.
For now, the Bears have a division title to celebrate and an outside shot at the NFC's No. 1 seed should they win out against the Niners and Detroit Lions (Week 18), while receiving a little help from at least one Seahawks loss.
Chicago has also earned its first playoff home game since 2018, when it lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the infamous Double Doink game.
Before aiming to win the franchise's first postseason game since a 2010 NFC Championship Game run, the Bears have a showdown with another playoff squad in San Francisco with the hope of more celebration on Sunday night.
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