Uncertainty grips the NFC North. Discover which matchups will boost the Bears' playoff chances and propel them toward the top seed.
Things can change quick in the NFL and that was definitely the case in Week 15.
The Chicago Bears played the Cleveland Browns in the noon window and dominated, winning 31-3. The chaos didn't happen until the afternoon slate.
The Bears were the No. 7 seed heading into the weekend, but that all changed once the Green Bay Packers lost 34-26 to the Denver Broncos. The Bears are now first in the NFC North and hold the No. 2 seed, with the Packers at No. 7.
The Carolina Panthers were the No. 4 seed before their game but lost 20-17 to the New Orleans Saints and are now outside the playoff race. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in the lead in the NFC South and are the No.4 seed.
The rest of the top four remained unchanged, with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles winning their games. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers stayed put after the Rams won.
The Rams clinched a playoff berth, but a lot can still happen in Week 16. Here's who the Bears should be rooting for this weekend besides the team from the Windy City:
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
The game between the Rams and Seahawks is a tricky one.
If the Rams win, it'll be good for the Bears because it'll mean the Seahawks will have the same number of losses as they do.
However, if the Seahawks win, then the Bears could reclaim the No. 1 seed in the NFC due to their superior conference record of 6-3. The Rams' conference record would fall to 6-4 with a loss.
So, in my opinion, Bears' fan should be rooting for a Seahawks win on Thursday Night Football.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
This game may not seem as big as Thursday's Rams-Seahawks matchup, but it could punch the Bears' ticket to the playoffs.
The Lions are on the bubble after their loss to the Rams on Sunday. If the Lions lose again and the Bears win against the Packers, Chicago will clinch a playoff spot.
However, the Packers could still win the division.
There won't just be the Bears game for fans to watch, especially after what Week 15 taught us. I'm sure Chicago fans had their eyes peeled on the Packers-Broncos game and Rams-Lions game on Sunday.
If the Bears do win on Saturday, it looks like they'll have to wait until Sunday night at the latest to see if they clinch a playoff spot.
Saturday's game kicks off at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.