The Chicago Bears have clinched their first NFC North title before even hitting the field against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. That’s thanks in large part to the Baltimore Ravens, who defeated the Green Bay Packers to send Chicago to its first division title in seven years.
While the Bears have already locked down a playoff spot, the NFC North and, at worst, the No. 3 seed in the NFC, there’s still plenty on the line heading into the final two games of the regular season. Chicago is in play for both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, where the top seed in the NFC would feature a first-round bye in the playoffs.
But the Bears are going to need a little help, most notably from the Carolina Panthers, who play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a look at the current NFC playoff standings and how Chicago can clinch either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
NFC playoff standings
*clinched playoff spot
How Bears can clinch NFC’s No. 2 seed
Chicago is penciled in as the NFC’s No. 2 seed entering Week 17, where their only real competition is the Philadelphia Eagles (sitting at 10-5). If the Bears win at least one of their final two games, they’ll lock that No. 2 seed up. That can be as early as Sunday night against the 49ers. If not, one loss by the Eagles will guarantee Chicago at least the second seed, which would be a rematch against the Packers (who are locked into the No. 7 seed) at Soldier Field. Unless…
How Bears can clinch NFC’s No. 1 seed
While the No. 2 seed is a very likely option for the Bears, the top seed is still in play for Chicago entering Week 17. If the Bears win out (at 49ers, vs. Lions) and the Seattle Seahawks lose one of their final two games (vs. Carolina Panthers, vs. 49ers), Chicago would land the No. 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Los Angeles Rams and 49ers are also in the mix for the top seed, but both are behind the Seahawks in the NFC West. San Francisco owns the tiebreaker over Los Angeles. But if the Bears don’t beat the 49ers on Sunday night, they cannot land the No. 1 seed. If San Francisco wins out, they would win the top seed.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears playoff guide: What needs to happen to clinch No. 1, No. 2 seeds
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
