The NFC North is suddenly led by he Lions, who are off to a surprising 2-0-1 start. After falling to the Eagles at Lambeau Field on Thursday night, the Packers are 3-1. Rounding out the bottom of the division are the Bears and Vikings, who are each 2-1 entering their matchup at Solider Field on Sunday.
For the reigning NFC North champion Bears, the game represents one they really need to win -- a home game against a division rival amid what should be a tight race that could come down to the final week of the season. The Bears have already dropped one division home game to the Packers, making their challenge to repeat as the division winners more difficult.
The Bears boast one of the league's best defenses, especially against the run. Meanwhile, the Vikings have re-established their offensive identity around running back Dalvin Cook, who leads the NFL in rushing and is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Like Minnesota, Chicago has a quarterback whose deficiencies can stall an offense.
Like so many times before, this NFC North battle could come down to which team forces one more turnover.
The perception of NFL owners is that of power. It's Jerry Jones in his blue suits along the Cowboys' sidelines or Robert Kraft and his grand influence that extends well beyond the Patriots organization.
Bears chairman George McCaskey is the everyman's NFL owner, driving to work each day in a regular car and parking far away from the entrance to Halas Hall, the building named after his grandfather, so Bears employees can have the better spots in the lot. He often travels out in Chicago with players without any publicity to help support their community efforts.
What McCaskey did was received as admirable by his Bears players. He opened the room to a discussion and allowed their feelings to be heard. They came away from it proud as they looked ahead to Sunday.
"Mr. McCaskey did a great thing," linebacker Danny Trevathan said. "That's a great guy right there. Just for him to give us the opportunity to speak on it, not give us anything to say, just let us talk from the heart, that was great.
"It's an honor to wear it."
Bears running back Tarik Cohen was among those who felt the same.
"I'm just proud to be one of the first African-Americans to put the jersey on," Cohen said.
McCaskey reminded that a personal touch has great meaning. Power in this position isn't just about fortune. For McCaskey, it's helping others influence change.
The magic of HD television caught Bears coach Matt Nagy amid a brief-but-strong rant toward quarterback Mitchell Trubisky Chicago's win at Washington on Monday night. While it wasn't clear exactly what Nagy said initially, the phrase ended with "(...) the **** up."
Most athletes have heard something similar, but it was notable from Nagy to Trubisky.
The relationship between the two, a coach and quarterback paired together in January 2018, is strong. The have a belief in each other that started growing on their first day together. There has been nothing but praise between the two before the media. Neither says anything remotely critical of the other.
But the moment captured on ESPN's national broadcast shed light on the way the two fiery competitors push each other behind closed doors -- and even right there on the sidelines.
"There’s a difference between it being personal and being task-related. There’s a big difference in that. Shoot, we as coaches have that with each other at times. But it’s because we care. If we didn’t care, I would’ve never had that conversation with him. The same with him.
"That’s not the first time, and I promise you it’s not gonna be the last time.”
Since the end of the Bears' turnaround 2018 season, there was the question of whether their defense could be just as good this year and beyond. Some pointed out they were due for regression.
But what the Bears did in the offseason could allow them to be even better. While bringing back their core and most of their starters, the Bears also filled a few voids in free agency. One of those players who gives the defense a chance to be even better is safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who had two interceptions Monday, including a pick-six.
Clinton-Dix been the kind of playmaker the Bears hoped for and brought a presence that Nagy has come to appreciate.
"Ha Ha came in here understanding what this culture was all about," Nagy said the win Monday. "We're really, I believe, pretty unique with the culture we have going on. He came in and was looking to fit in, and he did that."
It's safe to assume there won't be any Instagram live broadcasts inside the Bears' "Club Dub" celebrations anytime soon. At FedEx Field on Monday, Cohen danced away to the winning music with his phone stationed inside his locker.
As Cohen danced on, he didn't realize guard Kyle Long was completely naked right behind him. After realizing he broadcast the scene to outsiders, Cohen was horrified and immediately texted Long an apology. The jokes followed on the team's charter home. Long heard every wisecrack on Twitter.
As for Long?
"Had I known that I would be full nude on the internet, I probably would have prepared a little bit more."
The Bears and Vikings will play a game broadcasted by the CBS top team of Jim Nantz, Tomy Romo and Tracy Wolfson on Sunday. But Romo may have played himself out of that game -- on the golf course.
Romo shot a two-under par 70 in the opening round of the Safeway Open on the PGA Tour on Thursday. He played alongside Beau Hossler and Michael Gellerman and beat them both, shooting a 70 compared to Hossler's 74 and Gellerman's 77.
Should Romo make the weekend cut -- and he set himself in position to do so -- CBS will turn to Boomer Esiason to be the color commentator in his place.
"It's powerful to me. I think it's something that just we as an organization, as a team, it speaks volumes to who we are. It's a special moment for all of us. I think it's a special moment for them to be able to. For all of us to be able to talk about it and collaborate about this, and you know it's just something of unity, it's who we are. And I'm proud of our guys for doing it." -- Nagy on the Bears' appreciation of wearing the 1936 uniforms
WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion) -- As of Thursday, Gabriel remained in the concussion protocol and hasn't practiced. Friday will be the key day. If Gabriel returns to practice, he'll have a better chance to play. If not, it's a sign he'll probably be forced to miss the game.
DL Akiem Hicks (knee) -- Hicks left the locker room with a noticeable limp to his right leg Monday. Hicks will likely be a game-time decision, Nagy told reporters Thursday. It's worth noting that Hicks played the 2018 season while battling a leg injury but still produced at a Pro Bowl level. Don't discount his freakish pain tolerance.
G Kyle Long (hip) -- Long was held out of practice Thursday after being a full participant a day earlier. That's a concern given that he has dealt with a number of physical issues.
DL Bilal Nichols (hand fracture) -- The Bears are unlikely to have Nichols back Sunday. The more realistic goal may be for Nichols to return against the Saints on Oct. 20, which comes after Chicago's bye week.
K Eddy Pineiro (right knee) -- Pineiro suffered a pinched nerve in his kicking knee. The Bears will continue to be cautious with his capabilities, but Pineiro should suit up again Sunday.
S Eddy Jackson (shoulder) -- The All-Pro Jackson being a limited participant Thursday was merely maintenance. His status isn't in jeopardy.
T Bobby Massie (illness) -- In a dose of good news, Massie practiced in full after missing the game Monday with a case of vertigo.
TE Trey Burton (groin) -- Burton practiced Wednesday and Thursday in full for the first time since suffering as groin strain in late August. He's close to 100 percent.
The Bears once again boast one of the top run defenses in football, and the Vikings have the league's top rusher in Cook. Something has to give in this NFC North clash. Chicago will win this tight defensive battle.