Chicago Bears: Exploring potential playoff seeding scenarios

Matchup #1: Bears win, Rams lose in week 17 (1st round bye)

While this is the unlikeliest of all the different playoff scenarios for the Bears, it’s by far the best option. It would be the easiest path to a possible NFC Championship showdown (most likely) in New Orleans against the Saints.

If the San Francisco 49ers can somehow defeat the Rams in LA on Sunday and the Bears take down the Minnesota Vikings, the Bears will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They’ll earn a first-round bye and play at home against the remaining No. 3 seed in the divisional round.

The Bears staff has a decision to make in terms of how they want to approach the game against the Vikings. Do they want to turn quarterback Mitch Trubisky loose, or play conservatively to avoid tipping their hand before a potential playoff rematch?

Bears fans just got a glimpse of the 49ers during last week’s matchup in San Francisco. While anything can happen on any given Sunday, it’s tough to envision that team giving the Rams a challenge and pulling off a win on the road.

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The 49ers are very banged up with several key parts of their team including their franchise quarterback out for the season. The Rams still will have something to play for, as a win will guarantee their spot as the #2 seed in the NFC.

Let’s hope for a miracle on Sunday. If the Bears can ensure that their second-round matchup is at home, it would be a big boost for this team in the playoffs. The Bears are 7-1 at home this season.

Even if the Rams win or the Bears lose in week 17, there are other matchups that favor the Bears in the wild-card round.