NFL Playoff Picture: Chicago Bears 1 of 5 NFC teams to clinch a spot

Five NFC teams have clinched a playoff spot, but only one team has its division locked up: the Philadelphia Eagles. There are still four teams vying for the number one seed: the three NFC West teams (Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers) and the Chicago Bears.

Chicago’s path to number one would be to win out while having the Seattle Seahawks lose one of their remaining two games (at Carolina, at San Francisco).

If the Bears win at least one more game, they’ll finish no lower than the two seed.

If the Bears lose their final two, they could drop as far as the seven seed.

The Bears are in San Fransicso for Week 17, and host the Lions in Week 18.

NFC Playoff standings after Week 16

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
2. x-Chicago Bears (11-4) 
3. xy-Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
5. x-San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
6. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

x – Clinched a playoff spot
y – Clinched the division

In The Hunt

Detroit Lions (8-6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

The Lions need to win out and have the Packers lose out to make the playoffs.

The Buccaneers’ only path to the postseason is to win the NFC South over the Panthers. Carolina is at Tampa Bay in Week 18.

Eliminated

Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
New Orleans Saints (5-10)
Washington Commanders (4-11)
Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
New York Giants (2-13)

NFC North standings after Week 16

1. x-Chicago Bears (11-4)
2. x-Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
3. Detroit Lions (8-7)
4. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

The Bears’ magic number to take the North is 1. One win or a Packers loss and Chicago claims the crown.

The Packers host the Ravens on Saturday night, and if they lose, the Bears are division champs.

If Green Bay wins, and the Bears beat the ‘Niners, then Chicago takes the NFC North and clinches the two seed.