The Chicago Bears are 11-4 after a wild comeback win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night of Week 16. With Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson leading the charge, the Bears have surged into the lead in the NFC North.
While their odds of securing the NFC North have increased significantly after that Packers win, the Bears have yet to clinch the division. But they can in Week 17.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared just how the Bears can clinch the NFC North in Week 17. Starting with their matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, the Bears are just one game away from a division title.
How Bears can clinch NFC North in Week 17 vs. 49ers
Rapoport shared the Bears' playoff scenarios, in which Chicago can take the NFC if it can beat the 49ers in San Francisco in Week 17.
But even if they lose to the 49ers this week, the Bears could still clinch the division. If the Packers lose their matchup, a Sunday Night game against the potentially Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens, the Bears would clinch the NFC North.
Whether it's a Bears win or a Packers loss, or a wild scenario where both teams tie, the Bears would wind up winning the NFC North.
MORE: Chicago stuns Green Bay to move one step closer to NFC North crown
The only scenario where the division title odds would be at risk is if the Bears lose and the Packers win, making Week 18 the final chance for both teams to win the division. In that scenario, the Packers would need to win and the Bears to lose to take the NFC North.
But the most likely scenario is that the Bears find a way to win over one of these next two weeks, or the Packers lose in one of their final two weeks.
Chicago likely won't get the top spot in the NFC this season, though there is a small chance it could sneak into it with some help.
But in terms of winning the NFC North and securing a home game for the Chicago faithful, a win or a Packers loss would secure the Bears the NFC North.
Williams and Johnson are just one game away from the NFC North division title in their first season together. It's been a great season, and they're so close to making it even better.
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