In the early November stretch of a long season, a former Super Bowl quarterback who once wore Chicago's colors has looked across the NFC North and found the Bears standing tallest, even as three rivals trail them by a single game. It is the kind of moment that tests whether a team's composure is real or merely borrowed from good fortune. Foles sees in Ben Johnson's steady temper and Caleb Williams' willingness to keep throwing through setbacks the signs of a group that can outlast a bad afternoon. The division remains open, and the answer will come from the games still to be played among these
Nick Foles Says Bears Are the Team to Beat in a Loaded NFC North
Something is brewing in Chicago, even after four interceptions
Mark
Foles never actually picked a team, right? Why does this read like an endorsement of Chicago?
Mimi
Because most of his praise went to the Bears. He talked about Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen's defense, and he said there's something brewing there.
Luke
Worth being clear, though: it's an opinion from a former player, and he didn't name a winner. The only hard facts are the records.
Mark
Which are what?
Mimi
Chicago is 7-2 with a four-game win streak. Detroit and Minnesota are 6-2, Green Bay 6-3.
Mark
What stood out to him about Johnson?
Mimi
His composure. He says Johnson doesn't fuss with referees and moves on to the next play, and players take their cue from that.
Luke
That's Foles's read from watching. Nothing in the piece measures whether that demeanor actually produces wins.
Mark
And the four interceptions?
Mimi
He treated them as proof the offense is dangerous anyway. That's his framing, and a different observer might see a problem.
Luke
Also, he said Minnesota's offense could be its downfall, and then the Vikings traded for Kirk Cousins the next day. We don't know what that changes.
Mark
So what decides it?
Mimi
The division games still to come, since all four teams are chasing a playoff spot and only one gets the home game.
O Pulso
- The Bears sit atop the NFC North at 7-2, but Detroit and Minnesota trail by only a half-game at 6-2 and Green Bay is close behind at 6-3.
- Caleb Williams threw four interceptions on Monday night, yet Chicago kept playing and kept its four-game win streak alive.
- Ben Johnson's refusal to argue with referees and his calm sideline presence are being held up as the model for keeping players locked in.
- Minnesota's offense is the question mark after a trade for Kirk Cousins, while Detroit and Green Bay are finding their rhythm under Dan Campbell and their own momentum.
- Every head-to-head meeting among the four teams now carries playoff weight, with only one division winner hosting a home playoff game.
In the early November stretch of a long season, a former Super Bowl quarterback who once wore Chicago's colors has looked across the NFC North and found the Bears standing tallest, even as three rivals trail them by a single game. It is the kind of moment that tests whether a team's composure is real or merely borrowed from good fortune. Foles sees in Ben Johnson's steady temper and Caleb Williams' willingness to keep throwing through setbacks the signs of a group that can outlast a bad afternoon. The division remains open, and the answer will come from the games still to be played among these four teams.
Nick Foles was asked who would come out on top in the NFC North, and he never named a winner outright. Still, the team he discussed most was the one he once played for. The Chicago Bears sit first in the division at 7-2 as Week 10 begins, and Foles, speaking to OutKick after the trade deadline, saw a team that refuses to be rattled.
He pointed to Monday night, when Caleb Williams threw four interceptions, and said the Bears did not fold. Williams kept firing and the team kept making plays. Foles credited head coach Ben Johnson, who stays steady and does not argue with officials. Players take their cues from their coach, he said, and he believes this group will stay locked in.
He also noticed how different this Chicago team looks from the ones he knew. The Bears have often been defensive and run-first, but now Dennis Allen's defense is holding up, and the offense can score in bunches at any time. Even so, the division is tight. Detroit and Minnesota are 6-2, Green Bay is 6-3, and all four teams could reach the playoffs, though only one will win the division and host a home game.
Foles spoke respectfully about the rest of the field, praising Brian Flores' Minnesota defense while doubting its offense, which added Kirk Cousins shortly after the interview. He admired Green Bay's current form and gave Dan Campbell credit for Detroit's tenacity. The four teams must still meet again, and those games will decide much. Foles himself will see the Packers up close on Nov. 25 when he joins the Netflix broadcast panel for the Thanksgiving Eve game, where U2 will perform at halftime.
Nick Foles was asked who comes out on top in the NFC North, and he never named a team outright. But the team he talked about most was one he used to play for: the Chicago Bears, who sit first in the division at 7-2 as Week 10 begins.
The interview with OutKick came after the NFL trade deadline, with contenders having reshaped their rosters and the sprint to the playoffs underway. The NFC North has a strong claim to being the best division in football. If the season ended today, all four of its teams would make the postseason, though only one can win the division.
Foles, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, pointed first to the Monday night game, in which Caleb Williams threw four interceptions. In his view, that did not shake Chicago. Williams kept firing, he said, and the team kept making plays. Foles also praised head coach Ben Johnson for staying steady and calm, and noted that when something goes wrong in a game, Johnson does not argue with the referees. He moves on to the next play. Players watch how a head coach responds, Foles said, and he concluded that this team will stay locked in.
He also saw a difference from his own time in Chicago. The Bears, he said, have always struggled to field an explosive offense and have historically been a defensive, run-first team. Now the defense, under Dennis Allen, is holding up, and the question on offense is how many points they will score. In Foles's words, they can go off at any time, even after four interceptions.
The Bears are on a four-game win streak, yet they have barely separated from the pack. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are both 6-2, and the Green Bay Packers are 6-3.
Foles did not want to discredit the rest of the division. He called the Vikings' defense, run by Brian Flores, outstanding, though he said their offense could be their downfall. Minnesota traded for quarterback Kirk Cousins the day after OutKick interviewed Foles. He said he loves how the Packers are playing right now, and credited Dan Campbell with figuring it out in Detroit, citing the Lions' tenacity and good offensive play.
The four teams must still face each other at least once more, and those games figure to be pivotal. All four could reach the playoffs, but only one will host a home playoff game, with a chance to stay home throughout the postseason if the standings hold.
Foles will get a close look at the Packers on Nov. 25, in the first Thanksgiving Eve game. As he did for the inaugural Australia game, he will be on the Netflix panel with Packers legend Clay Matthews, Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin and Elle Duncan. U2 will perform at halftime, celebrating 50 years together, with special guests.
Citações Notáveis
Foles said Ben Johnson is calm and locked in, and that players watch how their head coach responds, so he expects the Bears to stay locked in.— Nick Foles, to OutKick
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