Chicago Bears move into NFC’s top spot after Los Angeles Rams loss

The Chicago Bears handled their Week 13 matchup by beating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-15, and a bit of outside help pushed them even further. After the Los Angeles Rams dropped a 31-28 decision to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Chicago moved into the top spot in the NFC playoff race.

Both teams sit at 9-3, but the Bears own the tiebreaker thanks to a stronger conference record at 6-2 compared to the Rams’ 4-3 mark, according to Sam Phelan of Roundtable.

Panthers upset the Rams!

And your Chicago #Bears will head into December as the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture!

— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) November 30, 2025

Head coach Ben Johnson has completely transformed the Bears in his first season. Chicago went 5-12 in 2024 and hadn’t reached the postseason since 2020, but Johnson’s arrival has reshaped the team’s identity. Now sitting atop the NFC, the Bears have finally given their fanbase a reason to celebrate again.

With the Bears matching the Rams’ record, they hold the top seed heading into the playoffs. Still, the tiebreaker won’t matter if Chicago doesn’t secure the NFC North. The Bears currently lead the division but face a crucial test next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, who trail closely at 8-3-1. The Packers come in off a 31-24 Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions.

Bears on top of the NFC 

The Bears and Rams have comparable remaining schedules, with both teams playing mostly against NFC opponents. Chicago has four of its final five games within the conference, while Los Angeles faces NFC teams in all five of its remaining contests.

The Bears will take on the Packers on December 7, the Browns on December 14, face the Packers again on December 20, play the 49ers on December 28, and close out the regular season against the Lions (date TBD).

The Rams’ remaining schedule includes the Cardinals on December 7, the Lions on December 14, the Seahawks on December 18, the Falcons on December 29, and a final matchup with the Cardinals (date TBD).

The final matchups against the Lions and Cardinals currently lack scheduled dates, since both games remain subject to potential change.

The biggest advantage for the Bears is that they hold their own destiny in their hands. Winning their remaining games or matching the Rams’ results would secure the NFC’s top seed. That spot also comes with a first-round playoff bye, allowing the team extra time to rest and prepare.

For now, the Bears’ attention is squarely on the Packers.

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