How quickly the tune of an NFL season can change. Three weeks ago, Chicago Bears fans were elbow-deep in mock drafts and coaching change speculation. Now, we are considering the possibility of the 2023 Chicago Bears making the playoffs.
Those very same Chicago Bears that started the season 0-4 and, at one point, held the top two picks in the 2024 NFL draft.
The Bears still have an uphill battle to make the playoffs. They're currently the 13th seed in the NFC, with several teams in front of them.
Only seven teams from each conference make the post-season.
The first thing the Bears need to do is win the rest of their games. It's no easy task for a team whose previous two-game winning streak, before the one they are currently in, was back in the 2021 season.
Let’s take a closer look at what a path to the 2023 playoffs looks like for the Bears.
Note: I started with the Bears -- the 13th seed -- and worked down (or up?) to the 6th seed (sort of; you'll see what I mean).
Chicago Bears (5-8, 13th seed)
Remaining Games
@ Browns
vs. Cardinals
vs. Falcons
@ Packers
While the Bears are likely underdogs in most, if not all, of these games, they are certainly winnable. The Browns game in Week 15 is a serious momentum builder that sets up nicely for the Bears. The Browns are dealing with a slew of injuries on both sides of the ball, including losing their top three offensive tackles.
The Cardinals are a much different team with Kyler Murray at the helm, but who knows what the weather will be like? Also, Arizona's offense lacks any true threat aside from tight end Trey McBride.
Atlanta is another team that historically does not play well in the cold, and Desmond Ridder is a turnover-prone quarterback going against a suddenly turnover-rich defense.
And then that leaves the Packers. How fitting would it be for a Bears-Packers finale, where the winner gets the 7th seed? The city would be in shambles.
There is still a lot that needs to happen in addition to a 4-0 slate for the Chicago Bears to sneak in.
Playoff Odds: Longshot
New York Giants (5-8, 12th seed)
Remaining Games
@ Saints
@ Eagles
vs. Rams
vs. Eagles
Like the Bears, the Giants have also found new life in the last few weeks. Behind new fan favorite Tommy DeVito, the G-Men have made their games fun to watch and will look to play spoiler down the stretch.
With two games remaining vs. the Eagles, I don't see how the Giants can get more than two wins, which would knock them out of the playoff race. If that's the case, Bears fans should be rooting for them to upset the Saints and Rams in the coming weeks.
Playoff Odds: Longshot
New Orleans Saints (6-7, 11th seed)
Remaining Games
vs. Giants
@ Rams
@ Buccaneers
vs. Falcons
Now we get to the “Somebody has to win the NFC South” portion of the breakdown. The Saints, Falcons, and Buccaneers are 6-7 and still in play for the division.
New Orleans is not a good football team right now. Derek Carr is banged up, and Dennis Allen seems utterly overmatched week in and week out. While the games remaining for the Saints are all winnable, I don’t trust their offense to keep it together down the stretch.
Playoff Odds: Longshot
Atlanta Falcons (6-7, 10th seed)
Remaining Games
@ Panthers
vs. Colts
@ Bears
@ Saints
The Falcons get a leg up on the Saints since they still have one more game against the lowly Panthers, and they have already beaten New Orleans once this season.
Assuming the Falcons get by the Panthers this weekend, their playoff probability odds jump to 50%. With all the inconsistencies they've shown this season, I don't see them going 3-1 down this stretch.
Playoff Odds: 50/50
Seattle Seahawks (6-7, 9th seed)
Remaining Games
vs. Eagles
@ Titans
vs. Steelers
@ Cardinals
Even though the Seahawks currently sit in the 9th spot, their playoff chances are much worse than those of the Falcons and Saints. They have lost four games in a row and now face an Eagles team looking to take their frustration out.
The schedule lightens up a little after that, but the Titans look to be surging suddenly, and if Seattle drops two in a row, it will mark the end of their playoff hopes.
In addition, they lost both their games to the Rams, who currently sit ahead of them in the conference standings.
Playoff Odds: Longshot
Los Angeles Rams (6-7, 8th seed)
Remaining Games
vs. Commanders
vs. Saints
@ Giants
@ 49ers
The Rams have looked the part of a playoff team the last few weeks, and I think they are in a great position to make the postseason. They should be favored in their next three games, and if San Francisco has the #1 seed locked up, they could be playing a 49ers team resting their starters in the season finale.
Playoff Odds: Favorable
Green Bay Packers (6-7, 7th seed)
Remaining Games
vs. Buccaneers
@ Panthers
@ Vikings
vs. Bears
From an opponent-winning percentage standpoint, Green Bay has a pretty easy remainder of the schedule. Their likely two toughest games remaining will be played at Lambeau Field, and their away games feature the worst team in the league (Panthers) and another that scored three points and has no idea who their quarterback will be down the stretch (Vikings).
This week’s game against Tampa Bay is enormous, as it puts the winner at a greater than 60% chance of making the playoffs and pushes the loser down to 30%
Playoff Odds: Favorable
Minnesota Vikings (7-6, 7th seed)
Remaining Games
@ Bengals
vs. Lions
vs. Packers
@ Lions
While the Vikings have a one-game lead on most of the conference, they are still in danger of missing the playoffs.
The Bengals, Lions, and Packers are all formidable opponents that can easily ruin Minnesota's plan of a post-season birth. This is especially true now that they are making yet another switch at quarterback (Nick Mullens will replace Josh Dobbs).
I do like Kevin O’Connell as a coach, though, and he will find a way to go 2-2 during this stretch and get his team in.
Playoff Odds: Favorable
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7, 4th seed)
Remaining Games
@ Green Bay
vs. Jaguars
vs. Saints
@ Panthers
Even though the Buccaneers are currently in the division lead, I included them in this ranking because, as stated above, a loss to Green Bay puts a damper on their playoff hopes. I think Tampa Bay goes 2-2 with this schedule, which would keep them in control of the division.
Playoff Odds: Favorable
Here's who Bears fans should cheer for in Week 15
If you’ve made it this far, then I’m sure you are probably trying to figure out what needs to happen this weekend for the Bears to keep their hopes alive.
I've got you covered.
Go Bears, Go Bucs, Go Bengals, Go Eagles, and Go Giants.
If you're the type of Chicago Bears fan who wants the team's playoff odds to increase at any cost, it's 'Go Panthers' too.
