Getty Here is an updated look at the Chicago Bears' 2020 opponents and schedule. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The 200th meeting between the NFL’s longest rivals, the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, ended in heartbreak for the Bears, and it also guaranteed Chicago would miss the playoffs after representing the NFC North in the postseason last year.
It was a game the Bears had to win, and they fell flat in a season that has been full of ups and downs for a team that many expected to be competing for a Super Bowl. They managed to rally a bit in the second half, but a fourth quarter interception by Mitchell Trubisky and a lack of execution on offense did them in yet again.
So what does the Bears loss to Green Bay mean for Chicago and the NFC playoff picture? Here’s a look at the current playoff outlook after the Bears’ loss and Packers win.
*Note: All data and percentages included here are courtesy of Playoff Status.
Current Week 15 NFC Playoff Outlook
Getty49ers tight end George Kittle.
The Seattle Seahawks are now the top seed in the NFC at 11-3, after beating the Panthers. The Packers are still the #2 seed with their win against Chicago, and the New Orleans Saints are occupying the 3rd spot in the conference playoff picture. The Saints play tomorrow night against the Colts. The Dallas Cowboys (7-7) currently have the #4 spot, after beating the Los Angeles Rams later Sunday afternoon.
The two Wild Card spots in the NFC are held by the San Francisco 49ers (11-3) and the Minnesota Vikings, who defeated the Los Angeles Chargers handily and now occupy the 6th seed. The Rams are still in the hunt, and if they keep winning and Minnesota slips in their final two games, Los Angeles could move into the 6th and final Wild Card spot. The Philadelphia Eagles are also still in the hunt at 7-7, and could swap spots with the Cowboys if Dallas falters in the last two games.
The Seahawks, Packers, and 49ers all clinched playoff spots after today’s results.
Chicago Bears Updated Playoff Outlook After Loss to Packers
GettyChicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack failed to make much of an impact in Sunday’s loss in Green Bay.
With their loss against the Packers, the Bears had just about been eliminated from playoff contention. I say ‘just about,’ because they had a less than 1% chance of getting the 6th and final playoff spot in the NFC. Their chances were already slim entering the game, and extremely minute after it, but they were eliminated entirely when the Vikings beat the Chargers later Sunday afternoon.
In turn, the Bears become one of the early teams to turn their attention to the NFL offseason after a disappointing season.
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