Bears’ Path to the NFC’s Top Seed Just Got Real - Thanks to a Thursday Night Thriller
Thursday Night Football doesn’t always deliver blockbusters - but last night, it gave us a game that could end up shaping the entire NFC playoff picture. The Rams and Seahawks went toe-to-toe in a thriller that’s already being talked about as a potential game of the year. But beyond the fireworks on the field, the result had ripple effects across the conference - especially in Chicago.
With the Rams falling short, the Seahawks came out with a win that vaulted them into the NFC’s top seed - for now. But that victory also cracked the door open for the Chicago Bears, who now find themselves in striking distance of the No. 1 seed.
It’s not a guarantee, and it’s certainly not all within their control, but the path is there. And it’s not all that far-fetched.
What Needs to Happen for the Bears to Claim the 1 Seed?
Let’s break it down. The Bears don’t have destiny in their own hands, but they’re closer than you might think. Here’s the roadmap:
- **Chicago has to win out.
** That means taking care of business in their final three games - against the Packers, 49ers, and Lions. No cupcakes there.
All three teams are in the thick of the playoff race, and each matchup is loaded with postseason implications.
- **Seattle needs to lose one of their final two games.
** The Seahawks close the season with road games at Carolina and San Francisco. The Panthers have struggled this year, but they’ve shown flashes.
And Week 18 in San Francisco? That could be a high-stakes showdown if the 49ers are still fighting for a playoff berth.
That’s it. Two things. Win three, and hope Seattle slips once.
The Road Ahead: No Easy Tasks
Let’s be clear - this is no walk in the park for either team.
For the Bears, it starts with a massive rivalry clash this weekend against Green Bay. That game alone is the biggest of the year for Chicago, and it could set the tone for a late-season run.
Then it’s a trip to the Bay Area to face a 49ers team that may be playing for their postseason lives. Finally, they’ll wrap up the regular season against the Lions - a team that’s been one of the NFC’s most consistent threats all year.
Seattle, meanwhile, has the Panthers and 49ers left. On paper, Carolina looks like the easier of the two, but the NFL rarely follows the script. And depending on how things shake out, the 49ers could be playing for everything in Week 18 - or nothing at all.
A First-Round Bye Within Reach?
If Chicago handles its business and Seattle stumbles just once, the Bears would leapfrog into the NFC’s top spot - earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. For a team that’s been building momentum, that’s a dream scenario.
The Bears haven’t had a regular season this promising in years, and now, the opportunity to cap it off with the NFC’s No. 1 seed is real. It’s not easy, but it’s right there in front of them.
Three games. One slip from Seattle. And a chance to bring playoff football back to Soldier Field in a big way.
If they pull it off, the next step is even bigger: chasing that Lombardi.