The Chicago Bears have clinched the NFC North, but they have their sights set on bigger goals entering the final two weeks of the season.
The Bears are guaranteed at least one home playoff game, but that could improve dramatically depending on how their final two games shake out.
That being said, the Bears do need a bit of help if they want the top seed in the NFC, and we have a breakdown of how that will all work.
Current NFC Playoff Standings
1 Seattle Seahawks 13-3
2 Chicago Bears 11-4
3 Philadelphia Eagles 10-5
4 Carolina Panthers 8-7
5 San Francisco 49ers 11-4
6 Los Angeles Rams 11-4
7 Green Bay Packers 9-6-1
The Bears and Eagles have already clinched division titles, and the Seahawks can clinch the NFC West if they win and if the Rams and 49ers both lose on Sunday.
Games Remaining for the NFC
The Bears have two tough games remaining, playing the 49ers in Santa Clara on Sunday and then the Detroit Lions in the final game of the regular season at Soldier Field.
The Seahawks defeated the Panthers on Sunday, and they’ll finish the regular season against the 49ers next week.
The Rams play the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, then finish the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Eagles, who can at best get the No. 2 seed in the NFC, play the Buffalo Bills Sunday, then finish their season against the Washington Commanders.
How Can the Bears Get the No. 1 Seed?
The simplest way for the Bears to get the top seed in the NFC, along with a first-round bye in the postseason, would be to win their final two games, and for the Seahawks to lose their final game of the season against the 49ers.
If that result were to occur, both teams would finish with a record of 13-4, and the Bears would win a tiebreaker based on having a superior winning percentage in games against NFC teams.
If the Bears, Rams and Seahawks were to finish in a three-way tie at 13-4, the Rams would end up winning the NFC West over the Seahawks thanks to having a superior winning percentage in games against common opponents.
The Bears would then take the No. 1 seed over the Rams thanks to having a better record against NFC opponents.
If the Bears lose to the 49ers on Sunday, then they would not be able to secure the top spot, and would have to settle for the No. 2 seed if they can beat the Detroit Lions in Week 18, or if the Eagles lose one of their final two games of the regular season.
If the Bears get locked into the No. 2 seed, they would take on the Packers in the Wild Card Round of the postseason.
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