The Panthers didn’t lend a helping hand to the Bears today, as Carolina faced off against Seattle and ultimately lost. This defeat meant that Chicago's clearest route to claiming the NFC's top seed for the upcoming playoffs was shut down. However, while the ideal scenario didn’t unfold, the Bears still have viable options ahead of them to secure the coveted No. 1 seed.
Let’s break down the current situation:
The Bears, with an impressive record of 11-4, are now assured of finishing the season as either the first, second, or third seed in the NFC playoff picture. They began the day ranked second, trailing only the Seahawks, who hold a 12-3 record. In an alternate reality, had the Seahawks lost to the Panthers, Chicago would have had the opportunity to seize the top position by defeating the 49ers this evening.
Unfortunately, Seattle did not play along.
So, what are the revised steps for the Bears to reach the No. 1 seed?
To ascend to the uppermost spot in the NFC, the Bears need to accomplish three critical tasks:
- Achieve victory against the 49ers during tonight’s Sunday Night Football matchup.
- Secure a win against the Lions in Week 18.
- Hope for the 49ers to triumph over the Seahawks in their Week 18 game.
If these three elements align perfectly, both the Bears and Seahawks would finish with identical 13-4 records, but Chicago would emerge victorious in the tiebreaker due to a better conference winning percentage. It’s not the straightforward path they were hoping for, but it remains within reach.
What’s at Stake Tonight?
Even in light of Seattle’s victory, the Bears can still clinch a top-two seed if certain conditions are met. If Chicago manages to defeat San Francisco AND the Eagles fall to the Bills in the later games, they will guarantee themselves at least the No. 2 seed. Should this scenario play out, it sets the stage for an exciting wild card weekend matchup at Soldier Field against the Green Bay Packers, who are already locked into the No. 7 seed no matter how the final week unfolds.
Indeed, the Panthers missed a crucial opportunity to assist the Bears.
Nevertheless, the Bears' ambitions remain intact. The focus is clear: secure a win against San Francisco, prepare for the challenge against Detroit, and maintain the pressure on Seattle.
Written by Patrick, who grew up in the neighborhoods of Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge in Chicago before transitioning to the Western Suburbs, and finally relocating to Las Vegas with his family in 2023. He began his journey with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has served as a Staff Writer and covered the Chicago Blackhawks. Currently, he writes and edits for Bleacher Nation, focusing on the Chicago Bears and the NFL as a whole, and is also the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a proud member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).
