Chicago Bears Playoff odds would significantly improve with win over Packers

It’s about to get real for the Chicago Bears.

First-year head coach Ben Johnson downplayed talk about making the playoffs, pointing out that this team is still in “midseason,” but one of the most important games remaining on the schedule looms Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field against the Steelers.

When the Bears take on the Steelers, Chicago may have the chance to get some revenge against Aaron Rodgers, if the Steelers’ quarterback suits up, but there’s even more at stake for Johnson’s team, big picture, beginning Sunday.

Chicago Bears’ Playoff odds could boost significantly vs. Packers

While Johnson may hope to downplay the Bears’ postseason chances, to keep his team focused, there’s little getting around what’s at stake for Chicago on Sunday.

According to NFL Media’s projections, the Bears enter Sunday afternoon with a 59 percent chance of making the postseason, and those odds rise to 69% with a second divisional win under Chicago’s belt, over the Steelers. The Bears even still remain in the hunt for the No. 1 seed and homefield throughout the playoffs, with a 2% chance.

“Ben Johnson’s club sat at the bottom of the division as recently as Week 6,” NFL Media’s Ali Bhanpuri writes of the Bears. “But with four wins over a five-game span, including three in row by a combined 11 points(!), Chicago has jumped to the top of the North and into the No. 3 seed. That game I mentioned earlier, against the Eagles? That’s not just for division bragging rights anymore. With a win, Chicago could find itself leading the entire conference.

“Of course, a few things would likely have to happen between now and then, like the Bears beating the fourth-seeded Steelers this weekend (in what the model projects as the most consequential game of the week) and the streaking Rams dropping at least one of their next two games. But the No. 1 seed is legitimately in play for Chicago entering Week 12. That’s an incredible statement after the turmoil the team and its fan base experienced last season.”

A lot would need to go the Bears’ way for this team to wind up anywhere close to the No. 1 seed, and a bye, but, Chicago has the chance to earn some serious validation over the season’s final two months and perhaps a playoff berth along the way.

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