The Chicago Bears should be proud of their statement win on Sunday, December 14, over the Cleveland Browns, and their 31-3 final score on home turf. It was a needed win and sent a clear message to the league that the Chicago Bears are in it to win it, not just in the future, but in this first year that Ben Johnson is head coach of the team.
According to NFL research, the Bears have a 73% chance of making the postseason, so the road to the finals is getting clearer. As with any NFL team towards the end of the regular season, winning out is what matters most, but what also impacts the playoffs is what’s going on with other teams in the league.
This goes even beyond the NFC North. But, it’s worth noting that the NFL’s Week 15 games were a goldmine for the Bears when it comes to the NFC North, because both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions lost their games. The Minnesota Vikings won, but they’re already out of the postseason.
So, the Bears are once again at the top of the NFC North, and they’re getting closer to having a bye and home games during the playoffs. But, there’s more to the story than just the NFC North, and that’s why a particular game this week is of special interest to the Bears.
Chicago Bears Should Watch Football Early This Week
Remember the once-trendy relationship status, “It’s complicated.” Well, it’s complicated right now in the NFC, and the Bears are part of the situationship.
The Los Angeles Rams are No. 1 in the NFC going into Week 16. Just below them is the Chicago Bears, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks.
On Thursday, December 18, the Seattle Seahawks will take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks have a record of 11-3 going into the game, and so do the Rams, but Los Angeles is ahead of them in the conference.
The only teams in the NFL as of Week 15 who are automatically in the postseason are the Rams and the Denver Broncos.
Who the Chicago Bears Should Root For on Thursday
So, because Los Angeles is the No. 1 seed in the NFC, they’re blocking everyone below them, including the Chicago Bears. A Rams loss helps the Bears more than a Seahawks loss because it chips away at the top seed and keeps the race for home-field advantage or higher seeding open. A win for the Seahawks also creates space for more room for Chicago to climb if they keep winning.
In late December in the NFL, the rule is simple and ruthless: Root against the team sitting highest above you. So, since that’s the Rams, the Bears should root against them. Don’t feel bad about it. Don’t apologize. A Rams loss is simply the most beneficial outcome for Chicago. No emotions. It’s just playoff math.
But, either way, the Chicago Bears are in a prime position going into their Saturday, December 20, game against the Green Bay Packers.
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