Despite their slow start to the year, the Chicago Bears are still technically in the NFC playoff race with three weeks remaining in the regular season. However, the Bears would need nearly everything to go their way over the rest of the campaign in order to sneak into the dance.
Chicago Bears Playoff Chances | Week 16 Update
Note that this article was originally published on Dec. 24 at 6:05 a.m. The results of this week’s games are below and will continue to be updated throughout the day.
After all the games in Week 16, the Bears are the No. 12 seed in the NFC.
Sunday Games Update
Falcons (7-8) defeated Colts (8-7)
Lions (11-4) defeated Vikings (7-8)
Packers (7-8) defeated Panthers (2-13)
Seahawks (8-7) defeated Titans (5-10)
Bears (6-9) defeated Cardinals (3-12)
Christmas Day Update
Eagles (11-4) defeated Giants (5-10)
Ravens (12-3) defeated 49ers (11-4)
Keep reading below to see the playoff scenarios for the Bears entering Week 16. And head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to test various scenarios and see how they change the playoff bracket.
What Are the Bears’ Playoff Chances and Scenarios Entering Week 16?
Chicago has not yet been eliminated from the postseason, but getting into the tournament will not be easy. The Bears can no longer win the NFC North, where the Detroit Lions are the overwhelming favorites but will have to fend off the Minnesota Vikings over the next three weeks.
Justin Fields and Co. can only gain entry to the playoffs via a Wild Card slot. But ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) isn’t buying Chicago’s chances of making the postseason, giving the club just a 0.6% chance of extending its season past Week 18.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The Bears’ playoff scenarios are pretty direct in terms of what they control at this point. Chicago needs to go 3-0 to give themselves any real shot of claiming a Wild Card spot this season.
With the Los Angeles Rams at 8-7, three teams at 7-7, two at 6-8, and two at 5-9, it would be a surprise if eight wins are enough to get the Bears into the playoffs — but it is possible.
Chicago has a specific path to make the postseason. In addition to winning out, here’s who the Bears need to win each week over the rest of the year:
- Week 16: BAL, DET, GB, IND, PHI, TEN
- Week 17: DET, MIN, NYG, PIT, TB
- Week 18: ATL, DET, SF
Chicago’s own schedule is probably the least of its worries. The Bears will play the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Green Bay Packers to end the 2023 campaign, none of whom have a winning record.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
