How the Bears can make the playoffs

With the Arizona Cardinals’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Chicago Bears now have a much clearer path to the playoffs.

A playoff spot was in and out of reach for the Chicago Bears this season. They started off the 2020 campaign with a 5-1 record, before hitting a six-game skid, before going on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings. At 7-7, the Bears had slim chances of making the playoffs, but they got some help from an NFC West squad.

On Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers scored the upset 20-12 win over the Arizona Cardinals, forcing the latter team to drop to 8-7 on the season. Now, Chicago’s playoff destiny rests in their hands.

How the Bears can clinch a playoff spot

It’s a rather simple playoff path for the Bears. All they have to do is win their final two games of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers, and they’re in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

The Jaguars game should be an easy one for Chicago to win. Jacksonville is in the drivers seat to win the first-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for the rights to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. To further show their hand prior to kickoff, the Jaguars announced they’re starting Mike Glennon at quarterback over Gardner Minshew. Not tanking? Sure they aren’t.

As for the Packers contest, that would be a tough game for the Bears on paper. But if the Packers clinch the top seed in the NFC this week, you can’t rule out Green Bay resting their starters for the regular-season finale. That would be music to the ears of head coach Matt Nagy and company, as that could help them clinch the seventh seed in the playoffs.

If the Bears can make the playoffs, they need to send the 49ers a “thank you” gift. It’s only right.