The Chicago Bears didn’t take the field on Sunday, but they still came out winners in the NFC playoff race. Thanks to a surprising Rams loss to the Panthers, the Bears now find themselves sitting atop the NFC - holding the coveted No. 1 seed heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Let’s break it down.
NFC Playoff Picture (as of now)
- Chicago Bears (9-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
While the Bears and Rams share identical 9-3 records, Chicago holds the edge thanks to a better conference record - 6-2 compared to L.A.’s 4-3. In a playoff race this tight, those intra-conference wins matter. A lot.
Why This Matters
For the Bears, this is more than just a one-week bump. The No. 1 seed means home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs - and in a conference stacked with contenders, every edge counts. Soldier Field in January isn’t exactly a vacation spot for visiting teams, and if the Bears can lock down that top spot, they’ll force the road to the Super Bowl to run through Chicago.
But it won’t come easy. The Bears are staring down a massive divisional showdown next week against the Green Bay Packers - a game that could decide not just the NFC North, but potentially shake up the entire top of the NFC playoff picture. The Packers, currently sitting at 8-3-1, are right on Chicago’s heels and would leapfrog the Bears in the standings with a win.
This one’s got everything: playoff implications, divisional pride, and a rivalry that never disappoints.
Meanwhile, Out West…
The Rams’ stumble against the Panthers was unexpected - and costly. Not only did they lose ground in the race for the top seed, but they also missed a chance to create some breathing room in the NFC West.
Now, they’ll try to bounce back next week against the Arizona Cardinals, a team officially eliminated from playoff contention. On paper, it’s a favorable matchup.
But as we saw this weekend, nothing’s guaranteed in December football.
The Road Ahead
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every game carries weight. The Bears have played themselves into pole position, but the margin for error is razor-thin. One slip, and the Rams, Seahawks, or even the surging 49ers could be right there to take advantage.
It’s shaping up to be a wild finish in the NFC - and the Bears just put themselves in the driver’s seat. Now the question is: can they stay there?