With the No. 2 seed still on the line, the Chicago Bears have too much at stake to rest starters and coast into the postseason.
A narrow loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara significantly lowered the stakes for the Chicago Bears heading into Week 18.
Chicago will host the Detroit Lions, a division rival already eliminated from playoff contention.
Had Caleb Williams’ final pass on Sunday Night Football resulted in a Bears touchdown, Chicago would now be sitting at 12–4 with a legitimate chance to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
With that seed comes home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first-round bye.There is no overstating how valuable that would have been for a Bears team that, despite winning the division, still isn’t without flaws.
But that ship has sailed.
The Bears are still playing for seeding — just not the top spot.
At this point, Chicago will finish as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. If Philadelphia takes care of business against Washington in its regular-season finale, the Bears’ position will come down to Sunday’s result at Soldier Field.
The difference matters.
If Chicago locks up the No. 2 seed, it would host the Green Bay Packers as the No. 7 seed — a third matchup this season and the third postseason meeting in the history of the NFL’s most storied rivalry.
That’s a true boom-or-bust outcome.
A win would deliver a surge of momentum that could carry Chicago deep into January. A loss, on the other hand, would end a season defined by progress and optimism in a nightmarish way.
The upside is substantial. A No. 2 seed would also guarantee the Bears a second home playoff game in the divisional round if they advance — and potentially even an NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field should the top seed fall at some point.
That’s a lot to play for.
If Chicago drops to the No. 3 seed, the path becomes much tougher. The Bears would host one of the NFC West’s heavyweights — most likely the 49ers or Seahawks — in the opening round.
Those are the stakes. And all week, the same question has echoed around Chicago:
Should the Bears play their starters in Week 18 and push for the No. 2 seed? Or rest up, get healthy, and prioritize Wild Card Weekend?
There are logical arguments on both sides.
The Los Angeles Chargers, for example, appear unconcerned with seeding. Despite being eligible for multiple playoff slots, they elected to sit starting quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 18.
Should Chicago follow that approach?
I don’t think so.
The Bears should take the aggressive path and play their healthy starters against Detroit to lock up the No. 2 seed.
Chicago is 6–1 at home and hasn’t lost at Soldier Field since September 8. They’ve proven they can handle cold-weather football, and forcing opponents to come into Chicago for at least two playoff rounds is a clear competitive advantage.
On paper, Green Bay is also the most favorable matchup.
The Bears have played the Packers down to the final play twice this season and won the most recent meeting at home. Green Bay continues to deal with injuries, and while Jordan Love should be available by the postseason, the Packers’ defense has struggled without Micah Parsons on the field.
Chicago’s defense remains its biggest concern entering the playoffs — and even then, it held Green Bay to 16 points in a Week 16 overtime game.
Win it, and Chicago could find itself hosting either Philadelphia — a team it dominated during the regular season — or maybe the NFC South champion in the divisional round. Once again, at home.
The hesitation from fans is understandable. Nobody wants to see injuries pile up with a playoff spot already secured.
But given how this season has unfolded — and given the culture Ben Johnson has established — finishing the year cautiously sends the wrong message.
Anyone dealing with legitimate injuries should sit. There’s no need to push beyond reasonable limits. That includes wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. But punting the game altogether isn’t the answer.
Let Caleb Williams chase the franchise record for single-season passing yards. Let him pursue 4,000 yards — something no Bears quarterback has ever done.
Go win the game. Go into the playoffs with confidence, rhythm, and belief — not lingering memories of a missed opportunity on the final play in San Francisco.
That’s the right call for the Bears.