The Chicago Bears aren’t thinking about high draft picks or anything of the sort. They aren’t thinking about when the coaching staff will be fired or the GM replaced. Despite everything that has gone wrong in recent weeks, they still feel like they have a shot at the playoffs. Rightfully so too. Though boasting a 6-7 record, a watered-down NFC combined with an expanded postseason format with seven teams makes it possible.
The primary assumption is they have to win out. That means going into Minnesota and beating the Vikings, then going to Jacksonville to take down the Jaguars, and finally returning home to somehow avenge their previous embarrassment against the Packers. It’s a tall order for a team that just got done losing six in a row prior to their blowout win over Houston on Sunday.
So here’s some good news. The Bears may not necessarily have to win all three games in order to get in. There is a scenario where they only have to secure their next two against the Vikings and Jaguars. Not a crazy one either. If a few matchups elsewhere around the league bounce the right way, the season finale could be rendered pointless.
In a good way this time. So what exactly needs to happen in order for Chicago to witness this minor miracle?
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Chicago Bears path to playoffs may not require beating Packers
Now some people will say it will take a ridiculous string of lucky breaks in order for the Bears to get in without the need of the season finale. However, closer inspection says others. Yes, Chicago will need some fortunate bounces, but not nearly as many as people think. Here is a breakdown of what must happen over the next two weeks. All of this data comes courtesy of the New York Times.
Bears must:
- Beat the Vikings
- Beat the Jaguars
Week 15 requirements:
- Cowboys beat 49ers
- Eagles beat Cardinals
- Titans beat Lions
Week 16 requirements:
- Saints beat Vikings
- 49ers beat Cardinals
Looking at all those other games not involving the Bears? None of them seem totally out of the question. The 49ers are struggling with injuries this year and Dallas will be at home. Philadelphia just got done beating the 10-2 Saints, so taking down a Cardinals team that had lost three in a row prior to last week is hardly a stretch. Detroit may not have Matthew Stafford due to a rib injury, so Tennessee should win that one.
The next week? New Orleans will be playing for the #1 seed and revenge against the Vikings. San Francisco always plays the Cardinals tough in Arizona. There are a lot of moving parts to this but compared to other scenarios, it isn’t nearly as crazy. The Chicago Bears have to handle their own business first by beating Minnesota on Sunday. That’s the big hurdle. They should be able to take care of Jacksonville the next week.
Who knows, with a little luck they could slip into the postseason despite everything that’s happened the past two months.