NFC Playoff Picture: Bears now conference's top team

The Chicago Bears took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, and they’ve been rewarded for their fifth straight win.

The Los Angeles Rams were beaten by the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday, and the result of that game has left the Bears as the top-seeded team in the conference.

Here is the latest on the playoff picture for the Bears.

How This Week’s Games Have Unfolded:

The Bears and Eagles came into the week as the second and third-seeded teams in the NFC, and the Bears not only leapfrogged the Eagles with their win, but they also captured a critical tiebreaker over the reigning Super Bowl champions.

The Rams meanwhile dropped a tough game against the Panthers, watching their record drop to 9-3 on the season. The Panthers meanwhile moved to 7-6 on the season, and kept their playoff hopes alive with a big win over another NFC foe.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers meanwhile kept their advantage over the Panthers in the NFC South by beating the Arizona Cardinals, while the Green Bay Packers had already won their game this week against the Detroit Lions.

The San Francisco 49ers also won this week, beating the Cleveland Browns to maintain their seventh seed in the NFC. The Dallas Cowboys are just behind the 49ers and Lions after beating the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving.

Here is the current NFC Playoff Picture:

1 Chicago Bears 9-3

2 Los Angeles Rams 9-3

3 Philadelphia Eagles 8-4

4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-5

5 Seattle Seahawks 8-3

6 Green Bay Packers 8-3-1

7 San Francisco 49ers 9-4

8 Detroit Lions 7-5

9 Dallas Cowboys 6-5-1

10 Carolina Panthers 7-6

Why are the Bears ahead of the Rams?

Since the Bears and Rams aren’t in the same division, their tiebreaker goes to their winning percentage against NFC teams. The Bears have a record of 6-2 against the NFC, with their two losses both coming within their division. The Rams meanwhile are 4-3 against the NFC, giving the Bears the edge.

Both teams interestingly have gone undefeated against a division, with the Bears winning all four games against NFC East foes, while the Rams won all four games against AFC South teams.

What lies ahead for the Bears?

Unfortunately for the Bears, their remaining schedule is quite a bit harder than the Rams.

While the Rams have games left against the Seahawks and Lions, both of whom are in serious playoff contention, they also have two games against the lowly Cardinals and a game against the Falcons before the season’s end.

The Bears meanwhile have the league’s fifth-hardest schedule down the stretch, including two games against the Packers. They also have to play the Lions and 49ers, both of whom are fighting it out for a playoff berth, and one game against a Browns team that has a bad record, but also one of the most dangerous defensive players in the league in Myles Garrett.

The Bears will play that first game against the Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, then will welcome the Browns and Packers to Soldier Field in back-to-back weekends.