The Chicago Bears will enter Week 18 as NFC North champions, with their playoff spot already secured. That means when Chicago hosts the Detroit Lions for its regular-season finale, there won’t be much on the line. The only real thing at stake is playoff seeding. The 11-5 Bears are currently the No. 2 seed, just ahead of the 11-5 Philadelphia Eagles. While the top seed is out of reach for both teams, they could swap in Week 18.
However, improving its seeding isn’t that important to Philadelphia, because on Wednesday, it was reported that the Eagles would be resting quarterback Jalen Hurts, as well as other key starters. With Philly facing the Washington Commanders, it could still pull out a win, but the Eagles are making it clear they’re comfortable with staying at No. 3.
That means Chicago will likely enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, and a win would secure that. The bigger implication, though, is that the Bears will host the Green Bay Packers for a wild card game, if Chicago is indeed the NFC’s second seed.
Bears likely headed towards wild card battle with Packers as Eagles plan to rest starters in Week 18
Green Bay, entering the final week of the season at 9-6-1, has already secured the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs. That means the Packers will be going on the road to face the No. 2 seed in the wild card round of the playoffs. Barring an unlikely shakeup, that means another game between the NFL’s oldest rivals, in Soldier Field.
The Bears have already played the Packers twice in the last month, and both were thrilling matchups. The first, a Week 15 meeting in Lambeau that ended 28-21 in Green Bay’s favor. Two weeks later at Soldier Field, Chicago got the win 22-16 in overtime. Now, the two rivals appear to be headed towards a rubber match.
The only way that can be prevented is the Bears losing to the Detroit Lions, and the Eagles’ reserves getting a win against the Washington Commanders. The latter is definitely possible, and even though Detroit is just 8-8, they’re still dangerous, with a blowout win over Chicago back in Week 2. The Bears will likely want to avenge that loss, setting up round three with the Packers.