The Chicago Bears have kept their playoff hopes alive with a two-game winning streak heading into Week 16. Sitting on the NFC’s postseason bubble with two games left on their schedule, the Bears will need some help in order to reach the playoffs.

Chicago visits the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon. A win for the Bears would help them stave off elimination for at least another week.

The Arizona Cardinals lead the Bears by one game for the conference’s final wild-card spot. If the Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers Saturday and the Bears lose the following day, Chicago will be out of the playoff picture for good.

The Bears will own the tiebreaker over the Cardinals if the two teams are tied in the standings. Chicago would have both the better conference record and a better record in common games. That means if the Bears win their final two games and the Cardinals win Saturday but lose in Week 17, Chicago is in the playoffs.

Chicago is favored to beat Jacksonville, which hasn't won a game since the season opener. The Cardinals are favored to beat the 49ers.

What if both Arizona and Chicago lose in Week 16? The Bears can reach the playoffs by winning in Week 17 coupled with a Cardinals’ loss in the season finale.

Chicago ends the season with a game at home against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay has been the NFC’s best team this season, but the Packers might have nothing on the line in Week 17 if it can clinch the top seed.

Arizona ends the season against the Los Angeles Rams, who are still looking to secure a playoff berth.

Technically the Bears still have a chance to pass the No.6 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an unlikely scenario. Chicago would need to win its final two games in addition to Tampa Bay losing out. The Bears own the tiebreaker over the Bucs because of a head-to-head win in Week 5.

Tampa Bay is a heavy favorite over the Detroit Lions Saturday. The Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17.

The Bears have had a rollercoaster season. After starting the year 5-1, Chicago lost six consecutive games before its recent surge.

Chicago has only made the playoffs once in the last decade.

Mitchell Trubisky Chicago Bears
Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears looks to hand off to Darnell Mooney #11 during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
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