After finishing last in the NFC North in each of the past three seasons, the Chicago Bears have engineered a remarkable turnaround in Ben Johnson’s first year as head coach. Chicago currently holds the division lead over the Green Bay Packers after their huge overtime win in Week 16.
What Are The Bears’ Playoff and Division Chances?
As the Bears prepared to host Green Bay in a pivotal Week 16 matchup and looked to avenge their Week 14 loss, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The game carried major implications for the NFC North title and the conference’s No. 1 seed, and the Bears ultimately won 22-16 in overtime.
After the Packers snapped Chicago’s five-game winning streak in Week 14, the Bears responded in emphatic fashion with a 31–3 home win over the Cleveland Browns. The bounce-back performance kept Chicago firmly in the NFC North and playoff race heading into the crucial Week 16 matchup.
#UPDATE: The Bears have made the playoffs after the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to PFSN’s Playoff Predictor, after their win over the Packers, the Bears currently have a 98.10% chance of making the playoffs and an 89% chance of winning the NFC North. Their odds of securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed sit at 20.20%.
Chicago is now the No. 2 seed in the NFC; if the playoffs started today, they would host the Packers in the first round.
WALK IT OFF. #WPMOYChallenge + @idjmoore pic.twitter.com/ymI55QrIoV
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 21, 2025
Green Bay was without star pass rusher Micah Parsons, and Jordan Love also got hurt during the game. Chicago capitalized on the Packers stars’ absence to defeat them at home.
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The outcome of the Detroit Lions’ matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers will also impact Chicago’s postseason positioning. If Detroit loses, the Bears would clinch a playoff spot.
If Detroit Wins AND Chicago Wins:
- Playoff odds: 96.6%
- Division Odds: 85%
If Detroit Loses AND Chicago Wins:
- Playoff odds: 100%
- Division Odds: 93.1%
Bears’ Remaining 2025 Schedule
- Week 17: @ San Francisco 49ers
- Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions
It doesn’t help the Bears’ chances that they currently face the ninth-most difficult remaining schedule this season, as all of their remaining opponents have records above the .500 mark, while the Packers are facing the Baltimore Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings in their final two games.
A win against the Packers in Week 16 has all but secured at least a Wild Card berth for the Bears, and now they need good results against the 49ers and Lions to fully control their postseason destiny.
