The Chicago Bears have one more week to prove their worth in the playoffs, as they will have to get past head coach Ben Johnson's old team, the Detroit Lions, in Week 18.
Chicago is coming off a tough 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17 as the Bears are officially out of the running for the number one seed in the NFC. They can still get the number two seed with a win over the Lions or a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles to the Washington Commanders.
The most significant topic of discussion for many NFL teams is whether they will play their starters or rest them to prevent injuries. Johnson made it very clear to the media what his plan is for Week 18 against the Lions.
"We’re playing to win this week."
Johnson and the Bears are going all out to earn the number two seed in the NFC
There are several reasons the Bears need to be gunning for the number two seed in the NFC, with the biggest being the number of home games they could get in the playoffs. Earning that number two seed at least guarantees that if they win in the Wild Card, they will have two home games rolling through Soldier Field.
The other reason that might not get discussed as often, since it's a meaningless game for the Lions, is the revenge factor. Detroit embarrassed the Bears 52-21 back in Week 2 in Johnson's return to Detroit after being the offensive coordinator there for three years. It would be bittersweet for the Bears to give Johnson the win over his old team and do it monstrously.
One last reason for the Bears is to give them some momentum going into the postseason. Chicago is 2-2 in the previous four games, and picking up a win in the finale against a division rival would be a good way for the Bears to end the season, as they will at least leave the regular season with a win when they need it the most.
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Chicago still has a lot to play for, and taking their foot off the pedal would send the wrong message. The Bears and Johnson are right to want to go for the number two seed, and they have a high chance of doing it.