The Chicago Bears may already be guaranteed their spot in the playoffs, but there’s still plenty left to be decided in these last games of the regular season.
Both the Green Bay Packers and Bears are in the playoffs this year, but both teams are still vying for their final ranking as the Detroit Lions officially fell out of the running in a Christmas Day loss.
Detroit’s dismal performance against Minnesota on Christmas eliminated the Lions and allowed Green Bay to clinch at least a wild-card berth.
The Bears (11-4), Packers (9-5-1), Eagles (10-5), Seahawks (12-3), 49ers (11-4) and Rams (11-4) are all now guaranteed their postseason appearances, with the Panthers (8-7) and Buccaneers (7-8) battling for the final playoff spot in the NFC.
So what needs to happen still and how could it impact the Bears?
Here’s a look at some of the scenarios of note:
Where do the Bears stand?
As of Monday, the Bears are sitting in the No. 2 spot in the NFC, one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the top spot.
What can happen this weekend?
If the Bears win one more game, they would guarantee not only a division title, but they would also secure at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC, giving them a chance to host two playoff games at Soldier Field.
They are scheduled to take on the 49ers at 7:20 p.m. CST Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
But they could know before Sunday if they’re NFC North champions.
That’s because a loss by Green Bay would also secure their status as No. 1 in the North — and the Packers play the Ravens at 7 p.m. CT Saturday.
If both teams tie, the Bears also clinch the division.
What else to know
Even if the Bears lose to the 49ers this weekend they can still clinch their first division title since 2018 with a win over the Lions in their final game of the season.
The Packers have to win their final two games against the Ravens and Vikings and the Bears would have go 0-2 or 0-1-1 for Green Bay to win the division.
Chicago’s plus-21 turnover margin is the second best for any team through 15 games in the past 13 seasons, behind only the plus-23 for the 2019 Patriots. The last time the Bears finished a season plus-21 or better came in 1985 when they were plus-23 on the way to winning the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
The team is dealing with a number of illnesses heading into Sunday’s game. Head coach Ben Johnson said they’re taking precautions.
“It’s this time of year,” he said. “I doubt we’re the only team dealing with it. We’re washing our hands, we’re being very diligent, guys have masks on, doing what you can. Whoever’s available here on game day, we will look to win with. If a guy can’t go, then we will be ready.”
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