NFL playoff picture: Bears clinch playoff berth in Week 16 after win, Lions loss

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NFL playoff picture: Bears clinch playoff berth in Week 16 after win, Lions loss

Bears. We break down how they can clinch a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs in Week 16.

by Mark SchofieldUpdated Dec 22, 2025, 12:55 AM UTC

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David Banks-Imagn ImagesMark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

Update: The Chicago Bears have clinched a playoff berth. Chicago’s incredible comeback win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 was the first step, and the playoff berth was finalized when the Steelers beat the Lions on Sunday. The Bears are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The 49ers also clinched a playoff berth with the Lions loss.

When the Chicago Bears last made the NFL Playoffs, Matt Nagy was their head coach, Mitchell Trubisky was their quarterback, and Caleb Williams was in high school.

But this weekend, the Bears can book a spot in the postseason for the first time since the 2020 NFL season.

The Bears enter the weekend with a 10-4 record, and take on their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in a pivotal game Saturday night at Soldier Field. Both teams can clinch playoff spots this weekend, and the winner moves one step closer to locking up the division title.

Here is how the Bears can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.

Chicago Bears playoff berth clinching scenarios

Similar to the Packers and their playoff hopes, the Bears do not control their own destiny when it comes to clinching a playoff spot in Week 16.

If the Bears beat the Packers on Saturday night, they will clinch a playoff spot if the Detroit Lions lose or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon.

If the Bears tie against the Packers on Saturday night, they can still get into the playoffs if the Lions lose to the Steelers on Sunday afternoon.

NFC standings entering Week 16

Here are the full NFC standings heading into the weekend, including the Seattle Seahawks’ thrilling win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football:

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) - x
2. Chicago Bears (10-4)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) - x
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
8. Detroit Lions (8-6)
9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) - e
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9) - e
13. New Orleans Saints (4-10) - e
14. Washington Commanders (4-10) - e
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11) - e
16. New York Giants (2-12) - e

x - Team has clinched a playoff spote - Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

NFC North standings entering Week 16

Here are the full NFC North standings entering Week 16:

1. Chicago Bears (10-4)
2. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
3. Detroit Lions (8-6)
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) - e

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