Bears Playoff Hopes On The Line In Week 10
The Chicago Bears have a .500 record through their first eight games of the 2024 NFL season. They sit eighth in the NFC standings behind the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers for the final playoff spot.
If Chicago wants to make the playoffs in Caleb Williams rookie season, a victory on Sunday against the New England Patriots would go a long way.
How Bears Vs. Patriots Could Change Playoff Odds
According to Next Gen Stats, the Bears currently have an 8% chance of making the post season. Those odds would improve to 11% with a win over the Patriots. If Chicago were to lose, they would be left with only a 4% chance of playing in the playoffs.
Chicago has already dropped games to two NFC foes (Washington in Week Eight and Arizona in Week Nine). New England is the final out of conference opponent for the Bears in 2024.
As for the Patriots, postseason football isn't on the horizon. They're at the bottom of the AFC with less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. Next Gen Stats says those odds would improve to 2% with a win in Chicago. It's a rebuilding year for the Patriots who could have a bright future with Drake Maye behind center.
Bears Finish The Season With NFC Opponents
If the Bears want to play late January football, they will need to beat the other NFC teams in the playoff picture. Chicago faces Green Bay in Week 11. A win there would go a long way in helping their postseason chances.
Following that Packers game, the Bears face two more NFC North rivals in the Minnesota Vikings (Week 12), and the Detroit Lions (Week 13). Chicago split the season series with Detroit last year, and they'll look to play spoiler on Thanksgiving morning.
The rest of the Bears schedule is as follows: at San Francisco 49ers (Week 14), at Minnesota Vikings (Week 15), vs. Detroit Lions (Week 16), vs. Seattle Seahawks (Week 17), and then they close out the regular season against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
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