One element of the Chicago Bears' Week 8 loss to the Washington Commanders that may have been overlooked is the impact it had on the Bears' playoff chances.
The loss to the Commanders not only pushed the Bears out of a hypothetical playoff spot but it was a loss to a NFC opponent. Considering the parity across the NFC this season, it would seem that the conference record tiebreaker could play a factor in deciding the final three Wild Card spots.
That is also why the Bears' game against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday should be considered a must-win. Not only would a win over the Cardinals silence some of the doubt regarding Matt Eberflus and the team's coaching staff, but it would also put the Bears back in a position to reach the playoffs.
The teams with the most at stake in Week 9 👀 pic.twitter.com/BLSVrcOsa4
— PFF (@PFF) October 31, 2024
The Chicago Bears' playoff hopes may hinge on Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
It seems that Eberflus' job security is on the line with the Bears' game against the Cardinals on Sunday. Winning on Sunday would also mean that the Bears would have done something they have yet to accomplish during Eberflus' tenure with the Bears: winning a road game on a Sunday.
For as dark as things seem now for the Bears, there is a path to the Bears being 6-3 prior to their first NFC North game of the season when they face the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. Between the Cardinals on Sunday and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field next week, the Bears have the opportunity to right ship. The issue with saying that is in times where Eberflus and company have had an opportunity to self-correct, the team has often fallen flat. It's a fate that the Bears will need to avoid on Sunday.