Bears Claim NFC's Top Seed After Panthers Upset Rams

The Chicago Bears have claimed the top seed in the NFC following an unexpected upset of the Los Angeles Rams by the Carolina Panthers. The Bears improved their record to nine wins and three losses after securing the second spot in the NFC by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles.

With the Rams also at nine and three, the Bears hold the tie-breaker due to their superior conference record. If the playoffs were to start today, the Bears would earn a first-round bye and have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

According to the NFL Next Gen Stats playoff probability tracker, the Bears have a seventy-six percent chance of making the playoffs. Recently, season-ticket holders were notified about playoff invoices, which is a standard procedure under NFL rules, as teams that lead their division or are within three games of the division lead must offer playoff tickets after thirteen weeks.

However, a firm reminder remains: to guarantee a playoff berth, the Bears must win their division. This Sunday, they face a critical matchup against the Green Bay Packers, who currently sit at eight wins, three losses, and one tie.

Should the Bears lose this game, they risk losing their top spot in the NFC North, as the Packers would leapfrog them. Conversely, a win for the Bears could elevate their playoff odds to approximately ninety percent, while a loss may decrease their chances by around six percentage points.

The Bears and Packers will meet again in two weeks, following a Bears game against the Cleveland Browns and a Packers game in Denver. The Bears' only other divisional game remaining is a home clash against the Detroit Lions.

The Lions, who are also in contention for a playoff spot, face the Dallas Cowboys in a critical Thursday night matchup. The Lions are currently at seven wins and five losses, with a forty-two percent chance of making the postseason.

The NFC North, once regarded as the toughest division in the league, has seen the Minnesota Vikings struggle, as they utilized undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as their third starting quarterback this season.

The Vikings host both the Lions and Packers in the final weeks of the season, adding further drama to the playoff race. With five games remaining, the Bears control their destiny and must capitalize on their current position to secure the top seed in the NFC.