NFL FOUR DOWNS: Chicago Bears lead Week 13 upsets to take No.1 seed

GRIN & BEAR IT

At the conclusion of Week 13 last season, the Chicago Bears had the third-worst record (4-8) in the NFC and arguably the second-worst offence.

Over in the AFC, the New England Patriots also had the third-worst record (3-10) in their conference and, by coincidence, the second-worst offence.

What a difference a year makes.

After upsetting the Eagles (8-4) in Philly, the 9-3 Bears currently own the No.1 seed in the NFC, and the Pats (10-2) should also occupy top billing in the AFC with a game on Monday Night Football against the lowly Giants (2-10).

The similarities here are striking – both teams have new coaches this season and both teams have seen a major leap forward from their second-year quarterbacks.

Patriots QB Drake Maye was getting MVP buzz earlier this year and Bears passer Caleb Williams is finally living up to his status as last year’s No.1 draft pick.

While there is still a lot of football to play, and neither of these teams should be considered true Super Bowl contenders just yet, the future is looking bright for both franchises.

UPSETTING NEWS

What the heck happened in Week 13?

The aforementioned Bears upset was just one of the shocking results that upended the league as we head down the stretch to the post-season.

Somehow the Panthers (7-6) knocked off the Rams (9-3), who went into this game as the hottest team in football.

Carolina QB Bryce Young may be playing himself into keeping the job, which looked very unlikely earlier this year, but now much more certain after this 31-28 win.

The 11th game-winning drive of the 24-year-old’s career saw him pass Bills superstar Josh Allen as the youngest QB to achieve the feat.

The Cowboys (6-5-1) have now beaten both of last season’s Super Bowl teams in the space of five days, with their upset of the Chiefs (6-6).

And the Bengals (4-8) appear risen from the dead thanks to the return from injury of talismanic gunslinger Joe Burrow.

Burrow looked rusty, but did enough in a 32-14 win over the Ravens (6-6) that kept Cinci’s playoff hopes on life support for another week.

The return of Texans QB CJ Stroud from a concussion was enough to help Houston (7-5) eke out a 20-16 comeback win over the Colts (8-4).

Technically it was an upset, but no one was surprised based on how that Texans defence is playing.

LOOK AHEAD

Week 14 is a doozy.

The Lions (7-5) are virtually playing for their season against the resurgent Cowboys, as are the Bengals against the Bills (8-4).

If the Chiefs lose to the Texans, they’re cooked, while the Ravens and Steelers (6-6) are all but playing for their post-season dreams.

Throw in Jaguars vs Colts and Bears vs Packers and you’ve got some serious divisional juice.

The schedule-makers have back-ended the season with these division contests, so strap in for a wild finish.

PANIC INDEX

HIGH: The Chiefs have a better offence than last season but unless the other side of the ball can pull its weight Kansas City is missing the playoffs for the first time in QB Patrick Mahomes’ career.

HIGH: The Vikings (4-8) got shutout by the Seahawks (9-3), 26-0, who were led by Sam Darnold, the QB Minnesota let go in the offseason. Ouch.

MEDIUM: The boos at Lincoln Field this week told you everything you need to know about where the reigning champion Eagles are at.

LOW: Denver (10-2) made hard work of an overtime win over the Commanders (3-9) but now look almost certain to win the AFC West.