Chicago Bears will face the Packers with plenty to play for in Week 17

The Chicago Bears will face the Packers with plenty to play for in Week 17

What more could Chicago Bears fans ask for in a season? Clearly, a dominant season followed by a Super Bowl victory would be the most ideal outcome, however, playing the Green Bay Packers in a final week showdown with plenty riding on the game for both teams makes for interesting and entertaining football. The NFL could not have set this up any better had they tried. Two of the biggest rivals in football playing in an all-important game that can affect both team’s seasons.

As the Green Bay Packers dominated the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, plenty of Chicago Bears fans are skeptical about the Chicago Bears’ chances. The Packers still allowed Derrick Henry to run all over them, but their defense ruined Ryan Tannehill who threw for only 121 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. This all while Aaron Rodgers only threw four incompletions on the night.

Here’s the thing, as great as the Packers were in this game, this is exactly what the Chicago Bears should have wanted. The Bears have two ways to make the playoffs this season. One is in their own hands. Beat the Packers in Week 17 and the team is the seventh seed. Lose, and the Bears must hope that the Cardinals lose two weeks in a row or they will be eliminated.

The Chicago Bears are lucky the Rams have something to play for too

The Cardinals will be facing a Rams team that just lost to the Seahawks this week. A loss that made beating the Chicago Bears a must for the Packers to guarantee the number one seed and a first-round bye. The Rams cannot sit by and just lose this game versus the Cardinals though. The Rams found a way to give the Jets their first win two weeks ago and this loss was brutal as if the Chicago Bears beat the Packers and the Cardinals beat the Rams, the Rams are eliminated.

This is good news for the Bears as I find it more likely that the Rams beat the Cardinals than the Bears beat the Packers. However, again, this is what the Chicago Bears (and fans) should want. If the Bears have any chance of making noise in the playoffs (if they make it at all). This team must prove they can keep up with and beat the top teams in the NFL.

Should the Bears lose and the Rams win, the Bears will be the seventh seed and face the Seahawks or Saints. If the Seahawks beat the 49ers, then they would be the second seed and be the Bears’ first opponent. Should the Seahawks lose, the Saints are automatically the second seed no matter the outcome of their game. If the Bears win and the Rams win, the Bears will still be the seventh seed, however, if the Seahawks win, then the Packers get the second seed and would face the Bears in the first round of the playoffs.

Finally, if the Bears win and the Cardinals win, then the Bears would actually be the sixth seed. In this scenario, the Bears would once again face the Seahawks or the Saints depending on the outcome of the Seahawks game.

Looking at all these scenarios, I know that should the Bears make the playoffs, many Bears fans think the likelihood of a one-and-done season is the most likely outcome. That said, the Saints and the Seahawks do not scare me. Both of those teams are beatable. Quite honestly, only the Packers scare me and they have flaws too. The point here is getting to the dance is the only thing that matters. Then, quite honestly, anything can happen.

Here is to a fun and interesting Week 17 that means a great deal in the grand scheme of things for the Chicago Bears.