Chiefs and Broncos Games Are Critical for Bears Tie-Breakers
Usually games against AFC opponents are not as critical for NFC teams and their divisional and conference games. My rule of thumb is that division games count for two. The next two games are critical for the Bears and not just because of the tight win/loss records in the NFC playoff race. These games are worth more because of the tie-breaker implications. With the Detroit Lions right on their heels, the tie-breaker for the Bears could come down to common opponents.
What makes these two games extremely crucial for the Bears is that the Detroit Lions have beaten both the Chiefs and Broncos, so if it comes to common opponents, the Bears will need wins against these two AFC West opponents to control their own destiny. Check out the tie-breaking procedures from NFL.com after the jump.
"TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISIONIf, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.Two ClubsHead-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.Strength of victory.Strength of schedule.Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.Best net points in common games.Best net points in all games.Best net touchdowns in all games.Coin tossThree or More Clubs(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.Strength of victory.Strength of schedule.Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.Best net points in common games.Best net points in all games.Best net touchdowns in all games.Coin tossTO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAMIf it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.Two ClubsHead-to-head, if applicable.Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.Strength of victory.Strength of schedule.Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.Best net points in conference games.Best net points in all games.Best net touchdowns in all games.Coin toss.Three or More Clubs(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of applicable two-club format.)Apply division tie breaker to eliminate all but the highest ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. The original seeding within a division upon application of the division tie breaker remains the same for all subsequent applications of the procedure that are necessary to identify the two Wild-Card participants.Head-to-head sweep. (Applicable only if one club has defeated each of the others or if one club has lost to each of the others.)Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.Strength of victory.Strength of schedule.Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.Best net points in conference games.Best net points in all games.Best net touchdowns in all games.Coin tossWhen the first Wild-Card team has been identified, the procedure is repeated to name the second Wild-Card, i.e., eliminate all but the highest-ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. In situations where three or more teams from the same division are involved in the procedure, the original seeding of the teams remains the same for subsequent applications of the tie breaker if the top-ranked team in that division qualifies for a Wild-Card berth."
It’s really simple for the Bears – go out and beat the hell out of KC and Denver and you control your own tie-breaker destiny from a common opponents standpoint.