Bears playoff picture: Updated chances for Chicago to make 2025 NFL postseason after Week 15
Though the Chicago Bears lost control of the NFC North after a loss to the Green Bay Packers, Ben Johnson’s squad bounced right back in Week 15 with a dominating 31-3 over the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field.
Chicago intercepted Shedeur Sanders three times and allowed only 192 yards in a stifling effort by the defense, while Caleb Williams and the offense was opportunistic throughout the day.
With the win, the Bears kept pace in the crowded NFC wild card race. While key divisional opponents in the Packers and Lions play in the late afternoon window, Chicago did all it could to stay in the postseason and NFC North race.
Here’s where the Bears lie in the playoff picture.
MORE WEEK 15 NFL:
Bears playoff picture
The Bears entered the day as the No. 7 seed in the NFC, and with the win will stay in the playoff picture regardless of other action.
Chicago was the No. 1 seed heading into their Week 14 showdown with the Green Bay Packers. However, after losing that game at Lambeau Field, the Bears dropped six spots. This shows how closely contested the NFC conference has been this season.
Chicago was given a 65% chance by Next Gen Stats to make the postseason before the win against the Browns. Though, the Lions are right behind, with the two teams playing in the regular season finale.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
RankTeamRecord1Los Angeles Rams*10-32Green Bay Packers*9-3-13Philadelphia Eagles*9-54Tampa Bay Buccaneers*7-75Seattle Seahawks10-36San Francisco 49ers9-47Chicago Bears10-48Detroit Lions8-59Carolina Panthers7-610Dallas Cowboys6-6-111Minnesota Vikings5-812Atlanta Falcons4-913Arizona Cardinals3-1014New Orleans Saints3-1015Washington Commanders3-1016New York Giants2-11
*Division leaders
NFC North standings
TeamRecordGreen Bay Packers9-3-1Chicago Bears10-4Detroit Lions8-5Minnesota Vikings5-8
Chicago has more than one way to the postseason. Obviously, winning the NFC North would secure their playoff spot. However, with their 9-4 record, they also have a strong chance at earning a Wild Card seed.
After the win, Chicago has put more pressure on the Green Bay Packers, who are on the road to face the 11-2 Denver Broncos.
MORE: Latest injury news on Caleb Williams
Bears remaining schedule
Chicago ends their season with three quality opponents, all three of them in the playoff hunt and two of which are crucial in-division games.
To begin, the Bears will host the Green Bay Packers, who recently took them down in Week 14 to take control of the NFC North. With the Bears win, that game will give the winner the inside track for a playoff home game.
Sandwiched in between these divisional foes is a trip to California to face the San Francisco 49ers, who are right in the thick of the NFC wild card race. Then the Bears will end their season with another shot at Ben Johnson’s revenge against the Detroit Lions.
Here is a look at Chicago’s remaining schedule.
WeekOpponent16vs. Packers17at 49ers18vs. Lions
MORE: Why Rome Odunze was ruled out last minute on Sunday
