The Chicago Bears had their cake and ate it, too, in Week 14.
The Bears won in impressive fashion over the Detroit Lions, 28-13, improving their record to 5-8 and keeping their playoff hopes alive. For Bears fans who are hoping for an early first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, late-season wins don't help their cause. But the winning culture that's beginning to build in Chicago is more valuable.
After securing their fifth win of the season, the Bears' first-round pick drops to No. 7 overall. It could jump to No. 6 if the New York Giants upset the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.
But that's not what matters. Instead, Bears fans are tracking the Carolina Panthers, whose first-round pick belongs to Chicago.
The Panthers lost ... again ... in Week 14, this time to the New Orleans Saints. They own the NFL's worst record at 1-12 and have a two-game "lead" in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The magic number for the Chicago Bears to clinch the first overall pick is now down to three (more Panthers losses).
Carolina's next opponent is the Atlanta Falcons, who lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14. The Panthers should lose that game, but Atlanta has been hard to figure out this year.
The Packers, Jaguars, and Buccaneers follow the Falcons on the Panthers' schedule. I don't think Carolina has two wins anywhere on that slate, which means Bears fans can really start to get excited about ending the season on the clock.
Stranger things have happened, and nothing is guaranteed on any NFL Sunday. But stars are beginning to align for the Chicago Bears, both on the field and in the 2024 NFL Draft order.
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