Four weeks into the season, no one thought the unthinkable. Eight weeks into the season, no one thought the unthinkable. After 12 weeks, the Bears scratched the surface, and we saw this team was “in the hunt” for a playoff spot. The convincing win over division rival Detroit Lions this past Sunday solidified their unlikely scenario.
The Chicago Bears are becoming a playoff contender sooner than anyone thought possible!
Chicago has won three of their last four games and sits one game behind Green Bay in the division. The Packers are currently the 7th seed but are in a log jam of NFC teams, all sitting with a 6-7 record. Skeptics are quick to point out the daunting task of climbing over six teams with only four games remaining. Still, the improbability of Chicago advancing to the post-season exists.
Remaining games
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The Bears must win all four of their remaining games, starting with a visit to Cleveland. Atlanta and Green Bay are two of the teams Chicago has to get past if there is any chance of the post-season. Their remaining game is a home contest with Arizona. Winning their last four games, the Bears would end the season with a 9-8 record many thought impossible just four weeks ago.
Green Bay
Remaining schedule: Tampa, at Carolina, at Minnesota, Chicago
Tampa can really help the Bears’ post-season aspirations. Victories over Green Bay and New Orleans would help eliminate both the Packers and Saints. Green Bay fell flat at New York in their last game. The Giants tried to hand the win to them, but in the end, the Packers lost as the Giants booted a game-winning field goal as time expired. Green Bay has not played well in Minnesota in recent years. If the Packers only lose one of the next three games, both Green Bay and Chicago could be tied with a record of 8-8 heading to their game in Green Bay to end the regular season.
Final record 8-9
Los Angeles Rams
Remaining schedule: Washington, New Orleans, at Giants, at 49ers
New York can aid the Bears’ chances. The Rams have to travel all the way to New York, then finish the season at San Franciso, who may need to win that last game to secure the top seed in the NFC. Beating the Saints in week 16 helps play a significant role in Chicago’s playoff chances.
Final record 8-9
Seattle Seahawks
Remaining schedule: Philadelphia. at Tennesee, Pittsburgh, at Arizona
Philadelphia needs a win this week to remain in contention for the top seed in the NFC. After a tough loss to the Eagles on Monday night, Seatle must travel to Tennessee. Back-to-back losses end their playoff hopes.
Final Record 8-9
New Orleans Saints
Remaining schedule: New York Giants, at L.A. Rams, at Tampa, Atlanta
The Saints witness the Tommy DeVito experience. Then they must travel to Sofi Stadium. Then, they fly to the East Coast to face Tampa. They end the season facing Atlanta. Losses to the Rams and Bucs knock them out of the playoffs.
Final record 8-9
New York Giants
Remaining schedule: at New Orleans, at Philadelphia, L.A. Rams, Philadelphia
The Giants have the most taunting schedule of all the NFC teams, currently log jammed at 6-7. However a win over the Rams helps Chicago’s chances.
Final record 7-10
Atlanta Falcons
Remaining schedule: at Carolina, Indianapolis, at Chicago, at New Orleans
After defeating Carolina and helping to lock the number one overall pick in the 2024 draft for Chicago, Atlanta loses their last three games.
Final record 7-10
News and notes
Yannick Ngakoue sustained a broken ankle and will miss the rest of the season.
D J Moore did not participate in Wednesday’s practice but is expected to play Sunday. He tweaked his ankle on his third run of the game against Detroit. He did come back in the game.
Jaquan Brisker is nursing a sore groin. He did practice Wednesday but was limited.
@Tom waddles, why don’t you just admit your a green bay fudge packers fan?
@jim Jones
I’m not a Caleb apologist, but he did lose Addison, who was an impressive WR this year, I will admit. I’m not sure how much of the Heisman hype led into him trying to play hero ball and carry a now exposed USC team.
Bert Breer was on the Sports Hub today talking about CW, saying he has maturity issues but is very well liked at the school, and by his teammates. He said there could be LaVar Ball type dad issues, but I don’t know much about that.
I want the team to get some cohesion. The secondary needs to gel, whether it’s LB’s passing receivers off to DBs, or Centers passing DLmen off to Gs. I cringe every year when we start the season and we have a top 5 oldest roster. I always will, I guess. Let these young guys play and develop. They need to learn how to win. The D needs to show up week 1 against GB. Fields needs to be able to feel pocket pressure and step up into the pocket. I would trade back. I’ve always fantasized about having 10 picks… Read more »
Yes, obviously the playoffs and better would be the ultimate goal , but right now since the season is this far along, I don’t want to settle for improvement and end up at 500 and possibly drive their second first round pick out of the top 10. If you’re gonna be bad 2/3 of the way through the season, you may as well be bad to the finish, so that you can have good draft choices. Obviously, we are highly likely to get number one. But personally and I think others would agree with me that second first round pick… Read more »
@nonobaddog, I did see that. I just don’t see us winning the next 4. I think it would be great if we did though. I don’t have as much faith in the coaching staff to set up a good game plan for every game, or adjust when needed in every game, to make that happen. More so offensively than defensively.