NFL Power Rankings, Wild Card Round: Packers assert dominance, Washington sneaks in
By Randy Gurzi
. . Previous: 14th. Chicago Bears. 13. team. 57
Backing into the playoffs might not be ideal, but it still means you’re in the playoffs. That’s the case for the Chicago Bears who controlled their own destiny entering Week 17 but then needed some help when things didn’t go their way.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Needing a win against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears found themselves losing 35-16. That dropped them to 8-8 on the season and they were then suddenly rooting for the Los Angeles Rams to knock off the Arizona Cardinals. When that happened, it meant the Bears were in. And their prize, a date with the New Orleans Saints next Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Chicago and New Orleans did meet earlier in the season and that one didn’t go the Bears’ way. Chicago lost 26-23 to the Saints with Nick Foles starting. That was actually their second of six-straight losses, which makes it surprising they even found a way to sneak into the playoffs.
Their loss to Green Bay snapped a three-game winning streak, which was all against losing teams. In fact, the majority of their wins came against losing teams this season with their 20-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early in the year being their lone win against a team with a winning record. That’s why they come in as low as they do in these playoff power rankings.