NFL Playoff Scenarios: Ways The Chicago Bears Can Win The NFC North

The Bears got a little help last night from the team that beat them soundly last Sunday, the New England Patriots.  New England beat division rival Green Bay 31-27 on Monday night and made things really simple for the Bears.  Now the question is, can Chicago take advantage of this and win the North?

If they fail to take advantage of what has been given to them on Sunday night, what other ways can they win the NFC North?  Let’s take a look and find out what they Bears have to do to win their division and what the Packers have to do to help them.

Chicago Beats Minnesota on Monday Night Football

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Heavy machinery removes the last of the snow from the playing field as TCF Bank Stadium prepares for a potential monday night football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on December 17, 2010 in Minneapolis,

Thanks to loss to the New England Patriots, the Bears can clinch the NFC North with a win tonight by Bears against the Vikings.  This would be the quickest, and easiest way for the Bears to win the NFC North.  If the Bears win, they are in and win the NFC North.

Chicago Loses on Monday Night

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Workers remove snow from the upper deck as TCF Bank Stadium prepares for a potential monday night football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on December 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Preparations are

If the Bears lose their game on Monday night (their record would fall to 9-5) they could win the North with a win over the New York Jets and a loss by the Packers to the New York Giants in Week 16.

Chicago Beats the Jets/Green Bay Beats the Giants

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: The Chicago Bears take on the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

If the Bears end up beating the Jets and the Packers beat the Giants then it will come down to a week 17 matchup between the Packers and the Bears at Lambeau field.

The Bears Beat the Packers in Week 17

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Robbie Gould #9 of the Chicago Bears kicks a successful 25-yard field goal to tie the game 17-17 in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan

If the Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 then they will have won the NFC North.  This would be the “long road” for the Bears to take but they would win the division and get into the playoffs.

Second Seed in the Playoffs

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears rushes against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Right now, it looks like Bears would be the number two seed in the NFC playoffs if they beat the Vikings on Monday night and if they win their final two games.

Third Seed in the Playoffs

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears fields a punt against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bears would end up being the third seed in the NFC playoffs if they split their last two games (between the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers) following their Monday night game against the Vikings

No Lower Than The Third Seed

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears calls a defensive play as teammate Lance Briggs #55 moves into position against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated t

Because the NFC west will be won by a team with a worse record than the Bears, the Bears cannot gain a lower seeding than third in the NFC Playoffs.

Who Would They Play?

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears gets chased by Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Right now, if the season was to end and the Bears had the second seed in the NFC Playoffs, they would play the New York Giants (a wildcard team depending on how things turned out with their battle in the NFC East).  Remember that the Giants beat the Bears once already this season and despite the fact they lost to the Eagles yesterday, still look like a tough team.

Can The Bears Get To The Super Bowl?

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs to avoid Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

That’s a tough question.  The road to the Super Bowl clearly goes through Atlanta but the Bears would have some tough tests early.  With games against teams like the Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, it may be difficult for the Bears to make it to the big game but anything is possible and if they win their last three games and come into the playoffs on a hot streak, they may be almost impossible to beat.