Coming into Week 16, the Chicago Bears had an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a win on Saturday night and a Detroit Lions’ loss on Sunday afternoon. For the first time in five seasons, Bears fans finally got to entertain playoff-clinching scenarios. Of course, their playoff future, at least in the moment, relied on beating the Green Bay Packers. This was the second time in three weeks the two teams had played, but with key injuries on both sides, it wasn’t the same kind of game.
With plenty on the line for both teams, Saturday night’s final regular-season matchup was the most electric we’ve seen at Soldier Field in years. In the end, the Bears were severely outplayed for all but two minutes of regulation, but likely in Week 15, they found a way to get the game into overtime and won on a 46-yard walk-off bomb from Caleb Williams to DJ Moore. Not only did the playoffs become a virtual guarantee, but they are on the verge of clinching their first NFC North title in seven seasons. For more on Saturday night’s game and the happenings of Week 16, let’s dive into another installment of 10 Bears Takes.
1. The Chicago Bears Are Heading To The Playoffs For The First Time In Five Years!
Coming into the season, expectations for this team amongst the fan base ranged from a few wins improvement, to some of the more optimistic folks thinking that playoffs could become a reality. Year 1 of a new coaching staff is always a toss-up. We’ve seen it plenty in Chicago over the years, especially since the firing of Lovie Smith. Bears fans are no strangers to both sides of the coin, but luckily for them, they’ve got at least an extra game in January to look forward to.
Before we dive too far into the present and near future, let’s reflect on what these last two seasons have been. Never in my lifetime did I expect the Bears to hold the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back years. While it’s clearly worth noting that one of those seasons was thanks to the Carolina Panthers, it’s still not usually a great sign of where a franchise is currently sitting. In fact, 2025 was the first winning season any fan has experienced since Year 1 of Matt Nagy in 2018.
It’s been a long road from the double-doink to where we are now. It produced one .500 season and six losing seasons in between. Not to mention four straight draft seasons of Top 10 picks.
When the 2024 regular season kicked off, the optimism was high. The Bears had drafted their quarterback and made a few exciting offseason moves, leading many to believe that Chicago could make a splash. Following a (4-2) start, those hopes and dreams felt validated, all before their season came crumbling down in Washington. We all know how the rest of the story goes, and it’s not worth walking the full path of misery that came with it. That said, it’s a great reminder that seasons as we’ve experienced in 2025 should be cherished, and most importantly, should not be taken for granted.
In many ways, the Bears organization was at its lowest point in recent history. They had to fire a head coach in-season for the first time in the 100-plus-year existence, and the narratives surrounding quarterback Caleb Williams were unpleasant to say the least. In the 19-candidate head coaching search, they found themselves hiring the most evident and attractive candidate from the jump.
I don’t think it’s unfair to say that the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson felt like the start of a new era. Never before had the Bears come away with the top candidate in a cycle, especially one as sought after as Johnson. To further elevate that move, he went from a division rival. One that many believed would influence the Bears’ new head coach to steer clear of the organization and go outside of the division. Once hired, it didn’t take long for his presence to show its immense value. Plucking defensive coordinator Dennis Allen from a shallow crop of proven defensive coordinators cannot be understated. At the same time, the same can be said for other vital hires like Al Harris, Dan Roushar, and Antwan Randall-El; it also reflected a real-time, big-picture look at Johnson’s behind-the-scenes preparation for this exact opportunity.
There’s no denying that the head coach is one of the most critical pieces to a successful team, but who he surrounds himself with, especially as a first-timer, is equally as important. For as impressive as Nagy was in Year 1 of his four-year tenure, the holes in his coaching staff quickly revealed themselves in short order. When looking at successful head coaches at the NFL level, especially those of the young, offensive-minded variety, the support staff around them has proven to be a key difference-maker. Bears fans don’t even have to go outside of their own division for proof of concept. Kevin O’Connell’s early slip-up with former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was quickly erased with the hiring of Brian Flores. In Green Bay, Matt LaFleur has produced multiple promotions for his offensive staff, even if they didn’t work out, outside of Green Bay.
The stories of highly successful head coaches like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan aren’t complete without mentioning the assistant coaches around them. It’s one thing to get them into the building the first time; it’s another to replace them with the right successors continually.
With the coaching staff in place, Johnson’s vision for this roster became clear within the opening days of March. Executing trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were just the beginning of a fundamental-heavy approach to getting the offense on track. This team has completely remade its offensive line and developed Darnell Wright into one of the league’s better right tackles.
Johnson’s ability to not only identify talent to acquire, but also work with what he’s given is something we haven’t seen in decades. Justifiably so, there was plenty of hand-wringing surrounding the team’s running back situation. Yet, the Bears’ rushing attack came into Week 16 as the league’s No. 2 group, averaging over 150 yards per game on the back of a veteran running back nobody wanted, and a seventh-round rookie that felt like an afterthought of a great running back class.
If everything goes according to plan, the best is yet to come. Sure, the Bears may have arrived a year early, but they’ll be looking to sustain a level of success that the organization hasn’t seen since the mid-1980s. Most fans have experienced a flash-in-the-pan season where the team arrives early but never returns. Despite their winning ways in 2025, the goal has never been about this season alone.
For now, fans should continue to enjoy living in the moment. After all, there’s a certain satisfaction, even if temporary, that comes with enjoying December and January football after five years of hopelessness once the calendar turns to November. Although I’m still not convinced that a Super Bowl appearance is a “realistic” ending for the season, any games played beyond Week 18 should be considered a bonus. Most teams experience postseason heartbreak before extended success, and if that’s the price the Bears must pay for 5-10 years of consistent playoff appearances, then so be it.
Enjoy this one, Bears fans. Although no one can predict what the future will hold, we’ve experienced more “rebuilds” than playoff wins over the past 15 years. Arriving a year too soon is only a bad thing if they can repeat the success in the future.
2. For All But Two Minutes Of Regulation, Saturday Night Felt Too Big For This Young Bears Team. Then, The Improbable Happened En Route To Their 11th Win Of The Season.
Coming into Saturday night, the Bears’ most successful quarter was the first. Even with a promising opening drive that got inside Green Bay’s yard line, they came away without points after a failed fourth-down attempt. Due to the defense’s struggles in the 20s, they only had two more offensive drives for the remainder of the half, which went for a combined 33 yards on 10 plays. The impressive part? They crossed the 50 on each of those drives, yet came away with no points.
Defensively, they gave up 178 total yards, 13 first downs, and almost a 20:10 time of possession difference. Similar to the Bears’ offensive production (or lack thereof), the Packers failed to score, despite all three drives being inside the 10-yard line. In total, they failed to force a punt.
While it felt like things were starting to get better in the second half, the offense didn’t score its first touchdown until the 59:36 point in the game to ultimately tie it. The defense didn’t force a punt on the day, and the only thing stopping the Packers’ offense from scoring points (regardless of the quarterback) was themselves.
The moment looked too big for this newly constructed Bears roster. They amassed 10 penalties for 105 yards, often in crucial spots in the game. The offense had just six points to their name heading into their final drive of regulation. Yet, somehow, in the most improbable way possible against their kryptonite, they found a way to come out on top.
It started with a fourth-down touchdown in a “gotta have it” situation to undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker. Despite going against the grain of what many expected, Johnson opted for the game-tying extra point. Next came a big sack on first down from Montez Sweat, which ultimately sent the game into overtime. The defensive line, which had struggled to get pressure on the quarterback all night, was able to come up big when it was needed the most in that exact moment.
Once the game got to overtime, winning the coin toss was paramount. Because of the new overtime rules, each team now gets the opportunity to possess the ball, meaning the second team with the ball knows precisely what they’ll need to tie or win the game. After a big throw on second down that put the Packers in Bears territory, the defense tightened the screws, leading to a key fourth-and-one situation. As we’ve become accustomed to seeing, the Bears ultimately caught a break with Malik Willis bobbling the hand-off, which gave them the ball just outside of the 35. From there, they were able to make a few big plays, including a third-down run from rookie Kyle Monangai. This ultimately set up a first-and-10 deep shot from Williams to Moore, which sealed the game.
At (11-4), I’m still not convinced that we can label this team as one of the “elites”, but their ability to find ways to win games in the most unlikely of scenarios should not be overlooked. Sure, there’s plenty of context behind this game, and not much of it is favorable to the Bears, but in the end, they hold a 1.5-game lead in the division with two games remaining. Despite being out-coached and out-played, this group never lost faith and, in turn, did their best to exorcise some of the demons that come with playing the Packers.
One fun fact to come out of Saturday night’s game: Williams is now tied with Peyton Manning with six fourth-quarter comebacks in one season. There might be areas of the passing game that need to be cleaned up, but having a quarterback at his best with the game on the line is something not many teams have.
3. Despite Playing Each Other Twice In 13 Days, Saturday Night Was A Prime Example Of How Important Attrition Is In The NFL.
When the Bears traveled to Green Bay in Week 14, both teams were much closer to full health. For the Packers, they still had Micah Parsons, and Christian Watson was in the midst of experiencing the best stretch of his NFL career. Outside of missing Devonte Wyatt and Lucas Van Ness, the defense was about as healthy as anyone could have asked for that late in the season.
On the Bears’ side, they were missing a few defensive players, including Kyler Gordon, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Tremaine Edmunds, but were able to get Jaylon Johnson back. The offense, at that time, was about as healthy as anyone in the league, outside of missing Rome Odunze.
Fast forward 13 days, and the two starting lineups looked much different. The Packers were without Parsons and Evan Williams on defense, and also missing starting right tackle Zach Tom and star running back Josh Jacobs. Watson was able to play, but after sustaining a shoulder injury the week before, his role was considerably more limited in Round 2 of this storied matchup. The Bears, on the other hand, were without two of their top three receivers in Odunze (who also didn’t play in Green Bay) and budding rookie Luther Burden III. Defensively, though, they were much more “whole” with a healthier Johnson at cornerback and the return of Edmunds.
The Bears undoubtedly missed the presence of their top receivers, but if there was any position that they could “afford” to miss, pass catcher would be at the top of that list. Defensively, their ability to get back key players like Johnson and Edmunds helped them round into form a little more than their ugly showing in Week 14. Green Bay was at a far greater disadvantage without four key starters. Like most teams, it’s hard to play the same brand of football when you’re missing an elite pass rusher on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, Jacobs’ presence in the first game was impossible to ignore. Luckily for the Packers, their offensive line depth is about as good as it gets, but missing a Top 5 right tackle is never a great thing.
As a whole, this is a potent reminder to every franchise that what a team looks like one week might not be the same in a week or two. In an 18-game season in the most physical sport in the world, injuries happen. As cliché as it might be, it’s simply a part of the game. How teams handle those injuries and the depth they have behind those spots becomes that much more critical. Typically, well-coached teams are better equipped to handle this type of adversity than teams with limited depth or a coaching staff on the hot seat.
That’s not to say that either one of these teams is poorly coached, because as we’ve seen, they absolutely are not. This is to shine a brighter light onto the Bears’ coaching staff, and just how well they’ve been able to handle (and adjust) to the various injuries that have hit their roster. It was interesting to hear head coach Ben Johnson speak about their mindset and overall process for handling injuries. Instead of pretending to be shocked in real time, they’ve implemented a process in which they keep reserve and practice squad players ready to play at a moment’s notice. That preparation extends far beyond pinpointing some of their depth pieces, though. The coaching staff actively game-plans for these situations and is constantly evaluating every spot on the roster, including the practice squad, each day of practice. That process started during the offseason workout program and has provided greater clarity as the season has progressed.
Johnson has been consistent in saying that this team has yet to reach its goals, but it’s fair to wonder whether their approach (especially to key starters) will adjust over the last two games of the season, depending on how the seeding works out. Getting to the playoffs as healthy as possible is every team’s goal, and for a team like the Bears, being able to do that without fighting for their lives heading into Week 18 could be a considerable value.
4. The Playoffs Might Be Three Weeks Away, But Multiple Teams Got A Sneak Preview Of What They Can Expect The Atmosphere To Feel Like In January.
First, we start in Seattle, where NFL fans got quite the treat on Thursday night football. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks squared off in what turned into one of the best games of the year for first place and complete control of the NFC’s top seed. Despite both teams coming in with the same record, one team would control its destiny for the top spot, while the best the loser could do is the fifth seed and a road playoff game.
The Rams took a commanding 16-point lead in the fourth quarter. The next drive, the Seahawks drove all the way down inside the 10, but quarterback Sam Darnold was picked off near the end zone. At that point, it felt like the game was over. Instead, Seattle’s defense forced a quick three-and-out and capped off the flip in momentum with a Rashid Shaheed punt return for a touchdown. From there, the Seahawks took complete control of the game and eventually won it in overtime, 38-37. What was most impressive about that game was that, despite being down by 16 points with eight minutes left, Seattle went a perfect 3-for-3 on two-point conversions, and their defense forced five scoreless drives in the fourth quarter. In the end, the Seahawks found themselves as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, while the Rams, much like the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, will be viewed as a very dangerous 5th seed (assuming the standings hold up over the final two weeks of the regular season).
In Chicago, the Bears and Packers squared off for the second time in 13 days, with vastly different playmakers on the field due to injuries. The Bears came into Week 16 with a half-game lead and a chance to all but wrap up the division, despite entering the game with a (1-3) record in the division. Following an uninspiring effort for the majority of the game, Chicago pulled it off in overtime with a handful of improbable plays to seal the game. For the Packers, the focus now shifts from being on the verge of an NFC North title to holding onto the seventh and final seed. The status of quarterback Jordan Love and his concussion will be at the center of attention in the days leading up to their Week 17 matchup against a desperate Baltimore Ravens team that needs to win to get into the playoffs.
For the first half of the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared to be a team that was going to run away with the NFC South. A month and a half later, they find themselves locked in a virtual tie for first place at (7-7) with the Carolina Panthers. Even more compelling, the two teams face each other twice over the final three games of the season, with the first matchup being in Carolina. Based on their records, the results of these games are pretty straightforward. The division winner goes to the playoffs, while the loser will be sitting on the couch for the playoffs. This game (and overall race) is a prime example of how expectations can define a narrative. The Buccaneers were expected to make the playoffs, while the Panthers are just happy to be in a position to compete for one. In many ways, it feels like the classic game where one team has nothing to lose, while the other has plenty on the line. In the end, the Panthers outlasted a quickly sinking Bucs team that has now lost three in a row. The only good news for Tampa Bay is that with a win next Sunday, they’ll control their own destiny heading into a Week 18 home game against Carolina.
In the late window, two matchups featured teams with plenty at stake in the playoff picture. We start in Denver, where the AFC’s top-seeded Broncos hosted the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars. While both teams are playoff-bound, any opportunity for the Jaguars to claw their way up the seeding relied on a win on the road against one of the league’s best defenses. After a close first half, the Jaguars pulled away in the third quarter with a 17-point lead and never looked back. All of a sudden, the Jaguars have won six in a row. Not only are they one game away from locking up the AFC South, but they are right in the mix for the top seed in the AFC following Sunday’s big win.
Finally, we end in Detroit, where the Lions fought for their slim playoff lives against the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, who came into Sunday on a two-game winning streak. For the Lions, their slim hopes relied on running the table and getting plenty of help in front of them. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, simply needs to keep winning to keep its one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately for the Steelers, they were without two of their top pass rushers in T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig. Following a pair of 12-point leads, it took a crazy end-of-game sequence for the Steelers to pull out a borderline unbelievable 29-24 victory on the road. For the Lions, they’ll need to win out and hope the Packers lose both of their remaining games.
5. With Micah Parsons Out, Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley Blitzed 50% Of The Time In The First Half and Close To 47% Overall.
In the first half, Williams was (1-4) for 27 yards and a nine-yard scramble vs the blitz. Feeding back into an earlier point, this is precisely the kind of example that shows why, even when two teams play each other twice in three weeks, so much can change. With Parsons on the field, Hafley has rarely blitzed this season. With him lost for the season, he’s had to adjust to get after the quarterback.
It was a game of adjustments on both sides. Although the Bears’ offense struggled to diagnose the blitz in the first half properly, their experience against Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores paid off at moments in the final 30 minutes of the game.
Until the final two drives of the game, it would be easy to argue that the Packers’ defense dominated the night. Despite starting hot, Williams found himself scrambling out of the pocket and throwing the ball away far more than any successful offense would like to see. Now, that’s not to say that all of the offensive struggles were on him, because they surely weren’t. For the first time in weeks, they failed to produce a consistent rushing attack. The end-of-game numbers will show 150 total rushing yards and 5.8 yards per carry, but that was not indicative of how their rushing attack performed for the majority of the evening.
In fact, 160 of Chicago’s 400 total offensive yards came over the final three drives of the game, in which they scored 16 of their 22 points. By all accounts, Hafley had his way with a high-powered offense most of the night, except for when it mattered the most. Which brings me to my next thought: Would the game have gone differently if Parsons were healthy? It’s fair to wonder. He has a reputation as a closer, and although Green Bay’s defense was able to put consistent pressure on the quarterback, they weren’t credited with a sack on the night.
One thing Saturday night proved was that the Packers’ defense is still one of the league’s elite groups. With or without Parsons, there’s plenty of talent, and they are led by one of the best defensive minds in football. This is all worth keeping in mind for Wild Card weekend, especially since the Packers are the Bears’ most likely opponent for the opening round of the playoffs. At least next time around (if there is one), Chicago will have a better idea of what to scheme against.
6. How The Bears Choose To Manage Their Short-Term Injuries Over The Next Two Weeks Will Be Interesting To Monitor.
Feeding off an earlier point, how the Bears choose to play some of their key injuries over the final two games will be worth monitoring. Players like Odunze and Burden are key pieces to the offense, but how much value do they bring over the final two games of the season? Considering their recent history of players reaggravating previous ailments, rushing either player back seems like a risk not worth taking.
For other players like Johnson and Edmunds, how aggressive are they willing to be with getting them back to 100% and into the right frame of mind heading into January? There’s always going to be a balance act of bringing players back from injury, but they’ve been inconsistent in their process throughout the year.
It’s also worth wondering how they’ll handle Week 18 if nothing is on the line. With the No. 1 seed more of a fantasy than a reality, a first-round bye isn’t likely to happen. In previous seasons, the Detroit Lions were able to play starters in the final game, knowing they had an extra week of rest. Assuming that the Bears aren’t in the same position and given Johnson’s previous experiences, will that factor into how they would handle a rather “meaningless” Week 18?
On the one hand, I’m sure that Johnson would love to get the win against his former team, but at what cost? If the bigger picture is truly on getting into the playoffs as healthy as possible, it’s hard to envision many scenarios where risking the health of any starter is worth doing for much more than a quarter or two. Think of Week 18 similarly to how teams handle the preseason. Keeping players physically and mentally sharp is one thing, but there comes a point where the risk far outweighs the reward of playing starters too much in a game that won’t impact their playoff seeding.
Now, there are specific scenarios in which the Bears might want to control their destiny in the first round. For instance, if the final game of the season comes down between the Packers and Lions fighting for the final playoff spot, will they have a preference? On paper, you could make an argument for who the more “favorable” home matchup would be against. I believe the Packers are the better team, but given how closely these two games have been, do they present the better matchup? The argument for Detroit would center around familiarity and quarterback Jared Goff’s struggles in the cold. With a guaranteed home game at Soldier Field in conditions below 40 degrees, history has not been on Goff’s side. Then again, I would argue that as a whole, the Lions’ offense presents more matchup problems than it would against Green Bay.
In the end, there are multiple levels to each argument, and without seeing both scenarios play out, there’s no sure way of knowing what the “right decision” would be. No matter the result that leads into the playoffs, Bears fans should feel comfortable knowing they are in an advantageous situation heading into January.
7. Packers’ Quarterback Jordan Love Left With A Second-Quarter Concussion, And Was Ruled Out Shortly After: How This Could Impact Green Bay Beyond Saturday Night.
Over the last two weeks, the Packers have lost their best defensive player to an ACL and their best offensive player (and quarterback) to a concussion. The good news is that Love’s absence should not be considered a long-term ordeal, but it is worth noting with a crucial game next Saturday at Lambeau against the Ravens.
Love was well on his way to another big game against a struggling Bears defense that had shifted its approach from Week 14. At Lambeau, Chicago’s defense played plenty of man coverage and blitzed more than we’re used to seeing. In the end, it resulted in Love picking them apart with multiple explosives downfield. On Saturday night, it was clear the game plan was to force them to dink-and-dunk down the field and rely on a rushing attack featuring a severely banged-up Josh Jacobs.
In the end, Love exited the game in the middle of the second quarter with a concussion and did not return. In his place, Willis did an admirable job, as he’s done whenever called upon. However, he’s not nearly as good a passer, and there are still inherent disadvantages to relying on a backup quarterback. Head coach Matt LaFleur was able to take advantage of the element of surprise in-game against a Bears defense that didn’t prepare for the read-option, but the Ravens will have a week to prepare if Willis is named the starter for Week 17.
The offense with Willis at quarterback isn’t drastically different, and historically, they’ve found ways to win games more often than not. That said, the Ravens will be coming in desperate to keep pace with the Steelers, which is likely to lead to a more urgent approach on both sides of the ball. Considering their injuries, it’s worth wondering how well-equipped the Packers are to deal with that situation. With the Lions lurking on the outside of the playoff picture (but within striking distance), Week 17 becomes a “must-win” for Green Bay to lock down a playoff spot before the final week of the season. This also immediately impacts the Bears, because the seventh seed is who they will likely face on Wild Card weekend.
8. Your Weekly Update To The NFC Playoff Picture.
Two of the opening three games of Week 16 delivered with overtime thrillers between two pairs of teams that were fighting for first place. The fun started on Thursday night when the Seahawks ultimately knocked off the Rams in overtime to overtake Los Angeles for first place in the NFC West with just two games remaining. With Seattle entirely in the driver’s seat for the division title and No. 1 seed in the NFC, the road for the NFC South winner in the playoffs became that much more daunting.
On Saturday, fans were treated to a pair of games: the Eagles won back-to-back division titles for the first time in nearly three decades, and a barn-burner in Chicago, which ultimately gave the Bears a commanding 1.5-game lead in the NFC North with two games remaining. Despite the Packers controlling all but two minutes of regulation, the hard-charging Bears found a way to exploit some key injuries on Green Bay’s side of the ball and pull out one of the more improbable wins of the season.
Heading into Sunday, all but two spots in the seven-team playoff picture are all but decided. Seeding has yet to be determined, but with just two games remaining, it feels like a safe bet to acknowledge five teams as clear teams headed to the January dance.
The biggest game on Sunday featured the Buccaneers and Panthers, with the winner assuming complete control of first place in the South. As one might have expected, it wasn’t a pretty game, but in the end, there’s only one team above .500 heading into the final stretch of the season. What made that game even more compelling is that the two teams will meet again in three weeks, during the final week of the season.
Finally, the Lions looked to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in Week 16 with a home matchup against the suddenly (kind of) hot Pittsburgh Steelers. Detroit has been hard to beat at home this year, and as the weather gets colder, its advantage indoors becomes a critical factor in how the end of the season will play out. In the end, they couldn’t overcome a pair of 12-point deficits, despite having the game-winning play, an offensive pass interference away from sneaking out with a season-saving victory. Instead, they’ll be fighting for their playoff lives with little control.
The only new addition to the elimination bracket was the Cowboys, who, by proxy, were mathematically eliminated from contention with the Eagles’ convincing fourth-quarter victory against the undermanned Commanders. With just Monday night remaining for the Week 16 slate of games, here’s an update snapshot of where the NFC playoff picture stands heading into the final two games of the season.
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-7)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4) *Plays Monday Night
- Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
- Detroit Lions (8-7)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
Eliminated: New York Giants (2-13), Arizona Cardinals (3-11), Washington Commanders (4-11), New Orleans Saints (5-10), Atlanta Falcons (5-9), Minnesota Vikings (7-8), Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
Heading into Week 16, the NFC North was a three-team race with the Lions on the outside looking in. With the Bears hosting the Packers, the winner would control the division, while the loser would be on the ropes. Heading into the game, the Packers needed it more than the Bears, simply because they were already a half-game back in the division. Instead, it was Chicago who came away victorious, and because of that, they hold a commanding 1.5-game lead with two games remaining. For Green Bay, the injuries are piling up. They will be without Parsons for the remainder of the year, and safety Evan Williams and right tackle Zach Tom also missed Saturday. The biggest issue now: The health of their starting quarterback. Love left the game with a concussion, and with seven days in between games, he’ll be on a tight timeline to get cleared before next Saturday night.
For the Bears, they need one more win (or a Lions and Packers loss) to clinch the NFC North for the first time since 2018. For the Packers, their focus has gone from winning the division to simply holding off the Lions for the 7th seed. In the end, Chicago pulled out an unbelievable win and is one win (or Packers’ loss) away from clinching their first division title since 2018.
For Minnesota, the focus is solely on building something heading into 2026. The primary focus has been on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Still, after suffering an injury to his throwing hand in the second quarter, the picture heading into the offseason might finish with yet another incomplete assessment. Although the Vikings are missing multiple key players, they are looking to finish the season strong. Over the next two weeks, they’ll get a chance to play spoiler with games against the Lions and Packers to close out the regular season. Following an ugly, yet effective 16-13 victory against the Giants, there’s still a chance to finish above .500. They’ll likely need to run the table with undrafted free agent quarterback Max Brosmer.
Sunday afternoon was always going to be crucial in Detroit. No matter how Saturday night’s results went, the Lions find themselves in a position where they must win out to have a chance for a playoff spot. With the Packers’ loss, Week 16 became even more critical. With a win, they’d be a half-game out of the seventh seed. With a loss, their season would be on life support with no chance at winning the division. Detroit was down by 12 points twice in the fourth quarter, but in the end, the game ended on a crazy offensive pass interference, a lateral that would have gone for a touchdown, and when all was said and done, there was no time, and the Steelers won. The Lions’ playoff hopes are hanging by the thinnest of margins. With another Packers win or a Detroit loss, it’s over for them.
Heading into Week 17, here’s what the NFC North Standings look like:
Chicago Bears (11-4) Up next: Vs Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) Up next: At Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions (8-7) Up next: Vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Minnesota Vikings (7-8) Up next: At New York Giants
10. Week 17 Look Ahead: A Sunday Night Football Date At The San Francisco 49ers.
With both teams clinching playoff spots on Sunday night, could this be a Wild Card Weekend preview? If the Bears win the NFC North, they are likely looking at one of three opponents, and they’ll have played both of them between Saturday night and the conclusion of Week 18.
In many ways, the two teams are built similarly. At least, that’s how they’ve performed so far in 2025. The 49ers have been marred by injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball. While they are no stranger to injuries derailing their season, San Francisco’s ability to push through and produce a double-digit win season has been beyond impressive.
Defensively, the 49ers have been getting by without much of a pass rush. When looking at their depth chart, it’s not overly surprising considering that Nick Bosa was lost early in the year, which was then followed by the loss of their first-round pick, Mykel Williams. As a defensive unit, they are giving up slightly fewer yards per game than the Bears, while ranking in the bottom half of the league in total takeaways (14). Despite the injuries and general lack of top-level production, they are giving up fewer than 21 points per game and have allowed 30-plus points only twice this season.
Offensively, they’ve dealt with some injuries, especially with starting quarterback Brock Purdy, but it has not stopped them from producing at an above-average level. Backup quarterback Mac Jones did more than an admirable job filling in, while simultaneously keeping the team afloat. The 49ers haven’t been an overly dominant team, but they’ve continued to find ways to win games convincingly as the season has played out.
Much of what they do and don’t do well plays well into the Bears’ strengths and weaknesses. In a neutral-site game, this is likely a pick-em, but because the 49ers will be hosting on National Television, the edge is in their favor. Running back Christian McCaffrey hasn’t been super productive as a rusher, but he’s still on pace to eclipse 2,000 total yards from scrimmage. This San Francisco offense doesn’t have any “take the top of the defense”- type weapons, but it has a tremendous offensive line and an even better play caller in head coach Kyle Shanahan.
There are plenty of reasons to believe that this will be a close, hard-fought game. Despite both teams being firmly on the verge of a playoff berth, this isn’t a game I’d expect either team to take lightly. In many ways, this will be yet another good “measuring stick” matchup for both franchises, but it’s also worth keeping in mind that this is a pairing that we could see in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Chicago will be coming into the game on an extra day’s worth of rest, while San Francisco will be on a short week due to their Monday Night Football performance in Indianapolis. Buckle up, even if there isn’t much on the line, this promises to be a quality matchup against two playoff teams that could meet again in the next few weeks.
