Bears eye playoff seeding after a Week 14 stumble. Can they rebound at home to reclaim NFC dominance and secure a postseason spot?
No team has clinched a playoff berth yet as we enter Week 14 with a very tight NFC playoff race at the top.
The Chicago Bears (9-3) claimed the No. 1 seed after the Los Angeles Rams (9-3) lost 31-28 to the Carolina Panthers in Week 13.
The Rams were the No. 2 seed, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5), Seattle Seahawks (9-3), Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) and San Francisco 49ers (9-4).
The Detroit Lions (7-5), Panthers (7-6), Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1), Atlanta Falcons (4-8), Minnesota Vikings (4-8) and Washington Commanders (3-9) were in the hunt ahead of the weekend's games.
The Arizona Cardinals (3-9), New Orleans Saints (2-10) and New York Giants (2-10) had already been eliminated from the postseason coming into the weekend.
The Lions got a much-needed 44-30 win over the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. Detroit is now 2-2 in its last four games.
The Vikings and Seahawks took care of business in the noon window, with decisive wins over the Commanders and Falcons. With their losses, the Commanders and Falcons are now officially eliminated from the postseason.
The Saints had something to say about the NFC playoff picture, handing the Buccaneers a 24-20 loss at home. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough picked up the second win of his career. The loss doesn't change things for the Seahawks, as Seattle is still second in the NFC West.
The Buccaneers and Panthers now have the same record in the NFC South standings, at 7-6.
Chicago controlled its destiny heading into Sunday, needing to keep pace with the Rams. However, the Bears' 28-21 loss to the Packers means that the Rams have now reclaimed the top spot in the NFC with their 45-17 win over the Cardinals.
Chicago is also second in the NFC North with the loss. The Bears will need a Rams loss and a win to reclaim the lead in the NFC playoff race. Chicago now holds the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Green Bay is now the No. 2 seed after their win at home over Chicago.
A Bears win would have increased their odds of reaching the postseason to 90%, but it is now at 73% after losing at Lambeau Field.
The Eagles will be the last NFC team to play in Week 14, taking on the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. Luckily, the Bears have the tiebreaker over the Eagles from their 24-15 win and will not drop into the No. 3 seed with a Philadelphia win.
After Week 14, the Bears face the Cleveland Browns, returning home after a two-game road stretch. Chicago is 4-1 at home this season and will look to keep that game against the struggling Browns.
Cleveland dropped to 3-10 after losing 31-29 to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Kickoff from Soldier Field in Week 15 is set for noon CT on Fox.
The Bears are at home for three of their last four games in the regular season.