Bears: Making the playoffs is more possible than it seems for Chicago

Of the remaining teams with whom the Bears are competing, their toughest competition is definitely the Vikings, though the Panthers are still technically in the hunt.

Carolina Panthers (5-6): Remaining Schedule: Washington, at Atlanta, Seattle, at Indianapolis, New Orleans.

The question is, what happened to this team? They were 4-1 with Kyle Allen before losing their last three games. There isn’t much explaining to do here for their schedule. They still have to play both the Saints and the Seahawks. They have by-far the hardest finish compared to the other teams in the playoff hunt. It’s a safe bet to count them out.

Minnesota Vikings (8-3): Remaining Schedule: at Seattle, Detroit, L.A. Chargers, Green Bay, Chicago.

The second wildcard runs through Minnesota. The rest of the teams don’t matter if Minnesota wins three games. This Monday, the Vikings play the red-hot Seahawks. This game will be stressful for Chicago fans because you can’t count out the Vikings. If they’re going to lose a game, this is the one I’m most confident about.

Losing to the Seahawks gives them an 8-4 record with four games to go. The Chargers dismantled Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. That could be the trap game they lose giving them their second of three needed losses.

The game to look at is Week 17 against the Bears. The Packers and/or the Chargers have to take care of business to make Week 17 a win or go home game. The Bears haven’t lost to the Vikings yet under Matt Nagy.

If a 9-6 Bears team goes to Minnesota with a playoff spot on the line, this game needs to be moved to primetime. It’s win or go home. This game would be the playoff game before the playoffs. Looking at the Vikings’ schedule, it’s very possible they’ll be 10-5 going into Week 17.