In the words of Jim Carrey's Lloyd Christmas, "So you're telling me there's a chance?"
It's been an up-and-down season in the Windy City this year. The Bears got out to an 0-4 start, quarterback Justin Fields has been hurt, backup Tyson Bagent kept them afloat and now Chicago has won two games in a row, three of its last four, and remains in contention for the postseason.
With just four weeks left in the season, this is about where teams start to focus on the playoff hunt or shift their vision to the draft. However, the Bears are in a rare position where both are possible.
That's right. It's a slim chance, but it's more than 0.0 percent that Chicago could not only end up making the playoffs, but also land the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
MORE: Updated 2024 NFL draft order after Week 14
How is that possible? The Sporting News explains.
Can the Bears make the NFL playoffs?
Despite their 5-8 record, the Bears can still make the playoffs with four games remaining.
The NFC North is likely unattainable for Chicago. Detroit leads the division with a 9-4 record, and Minnesota and Green Bay are both higher in the standings than the boys from the Windy City.
However, with a crucial win over the Lions in Week 14, the Bears are only one game back from the final wild-card spot in the conference. The problem is that there are five teams tied for the seventh seed at 6-7, and the Giants are also at 5-8 and own the tiebreaker over the Bears.
So while it's not out of the question, a lot has to happen for the Bears to make their way into the playoff picture.
NFC playoff picture
| Rank | Team | Record | Tiebreaker |
| 1 | 49ers* - x | 10-3 | Wins tiebreaker over DAL on H2H win pct. |
| 2 | Cowboys* | 10-3 | Wins tiebreaker over PHI on win pct. in NFC East games |
| 3 | Lions* | 9-4 | — |
| 4 | Buccaneers* | 6-7 | Wins tiebreaker over ATL on win pct. in common games; Wins tiebreaker over NO in H2H win pct. |
| 5 | Eagles | 10-3 | — |
| 6 | Vikings | 7-6 | — |
| 7 | Packers | 6-7 | Wins tiebreaker over LAR on H2H win pct; Wins tiebreaker over ATL on win pct. in NFC games |
| — | Rams | 6-7 | Wins tiebreaker over ATL on win pct. in NFC games |
| — | Seahawks | 6-7 | Wins tiebreaker over ATL on win pct. in NFC games |
| — | Falcons | 6-7 | Wins tiebreaker over NO on H2H win pct. |
| — | Saints | 6-7 | — |
| — | Giants | 5-8 | Wins tiebreaker over CHI on win pct. in NFC games |
| — | Bears | 5-8 | — |
* Indicates division leader; x indicates clinched playoff berth
Can the Bears make the playoffs and land the No. 1 pick?
Chicago is in the unique situation where it has the ability to both land the No. 1 pick in the draft and make the postseason at the same time.
It wouldn't be the Bears' own selection sitting at the top of the draft board. However, since Chicago owns Carolina's 2023 first-round pick, there is a very good chance that it will be the Bears on the clock first come draft day. The Panthers sit at 1-12, the worst record in the league. While the Patriots and Cardinals are in a position to potentially finish last, the Panthers are two games behind both clubs with just four weeks to go.
So landing the No. 1 pick is the easiest part of the formula, although it's completely out of the Bears' control. What about also making the postseason?
That's where things get tricky, however, there is still a way for the Bears to get both the top draft pick and make the postseason. Here are the scenarios that must play out for both to become a reality in Chicago.
- Panthers finish with worst record in NFL
- Bears win out
- Vikings lose at least three of final four games
- Seahawks and Rams each lose at least twice
- Two of Buccaneers, Saints and Falcons lose at least twice
Bears remaining schedule 2023
| Date | Week | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 17 | 15 | at Browns | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| Dec. 24 | 16 | vs. Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| Dec. 31 | 17 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| Jan. 7 | 18 | at Packers | TBD | TBD |
Chicago has an easier schedule than most for the rest of 2023. After an inter-conference matchup against the Browns next week, the Bears finish the season with home games against the Cardinals and Falcons before traveling to Green Bay to end the regular season against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
As a result, Chicago has the 23rd-toughest remaining schedule in the NFL, according to Tankathon.
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