Division games in the NFL are like a boxing match or a UFC bout. It doesn't matter what the matchup is or the records going into it; anything can happen, and the later the rounds between the specific teams go, the higher the level of intrigue and intensity rises.
In the purple and gold corner, the Vikings (4-5) haven't won consecutive games yet this season, but are one of eight NFL teams and just three NFC squads with a perfect record in its division going into Week 11 (Tampa Bay is 2-0 in the NFC South while the Vikings and Packers are 2-0 and 1-0 in the North, respectively). This season also marks the second in franchise history in which the Vikings have a losing record through Week 10 but are unbeaten against division opponents, joining the 2021 team (Minnesota was also 4-5 that year and 1-0 in the division with a 19-17 victory against Detroit).
In the navy and orange corner, the Bears (6-3) have been one of the NFL's hottest teams, as Chicago has won six of its past seven after an 0-2 start to the season. A big credit for that goes to quarterback Caleb Williams, who has turned a complete-180 between his rookie and sophomore seasons. After leading the NFL in sacks taken last year with 68, Williams has only been dropped 14 times in 2025 (tied for the fourth-fewest among QBs with a minimum of 75 dropbacks while under pressure, per Pro Football Focus).
Williams has engineered four fourth-quarter comebacks this season, tied for the most in the NFL with Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield and Denver's Bo Nix. Three of Williams' rallies have occurred in road games. Williams also possesses the second-highest quarterback rating in the NFL this year (94.0) inside the final two minutes of either half.
Whether it's by a split decision at the end or an early TKO, the winner of Sunday's game will gain better footing in a crowded race for the division, which is fittingly nicknamed the "Black and Blue" division.
Before we get ready to rumble, let's see who the experts are picking to win the game: