Lead: Less than 24 hours after an overtime comeback against Green Bay, the Chicago Bears clinched a spot in the 2025 NFL postseason on Sunday when the Detroit Lions lost 29-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Detroit. The Bears improved to 11-4 with Saturday night’s 22-16 OT win over the Packers and now qualify for the playoffs either as NFC North champions or as one of three NFC wild cards. With two games remaining, Chicago holds a 1.5-game lead over Green Bay (9-5-1). The immediate result: the franchise has secured postseason participation and improved positioning in the NFC bracket.
Key Takeaways
- The Bears are 11-4 after Saturday’s 22-16 overtime win at home, and clinched a playoff berth when the Lions lost 29-24 to the Steelers on Sunday.
- Chicago leads the NFC North by 1.5 games over Green Bay (9-5-1) with two games remaining — at San Francisco and vs. Detroit.
- The team will win the division by taking either remaining game; alternatively, a two-loss finish still yields the division if Green Bay drops one of its final two games.
- Three NFC wild-card slots are effectively being contested among six teams across the North and West: Bears (11-4), Packers (9-5-1), Lions (8-7), Seahawks (12-3), Rams (11-4) and 49ers (10-4).
- The Bears currently occupy the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the Seahawks (12-3); the Eagles (10-5) have clinched the NFC East and sit at No. 3.
- Caleb Williams connected on a 46-yard overtime touchdown to DJ Moore to complete the comeback; Chicago has won seven of its last eight games.
- In Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach, the Bears are 9-2 after an 0-2 start and have six wins this season after trailing in the final two minutes — the most in the NFL in 2025 and in franchise history.
Background
The Bears entered the weekend riding momentum from a dramatic overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers, a game in which they erased a late 10-point deficit to force overtime and then won on a long Caleb Williams touchdown pass. That win moved Chicago to 11-4 and put pressure on divisional rivals in the NFC North. The Lions, who had been in the divisional mix with an 8-7 record, lost at home to the Steelers 29-24 on Sunday — the result that mathematically ensured Chicago’s postseason berth.
Historically, the NFC North has been closely contested in recent seasons, and this year is no different: the Bears, Packers and Lions are all within striking distance of each other entering the final two weeks. The NFC West also remains tightly packed, with the Seahawks (12-3), Rams (11-4) and 49ers (10-4) competing for top seeds and wild-card slots. Playoff qualification scenarios hinge on head-to-head results, division records and the remaining schedules each club faces.
Main Event
On Saturday night at Soldier Field, the Bears overcame a 16-6 deficit late in regulation to tie the game 16-16 with 1:59 left and then won in overtime when Caleb Williams launched a 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore. The rally erased a loss from Week 14 in Green Bay and showcased Chicago’s late-game execution. Williams’ playmaking and Moore’s contested catch were decisive in a sequence that shifted both the game and the division race.
The immediate consequence came on Sunday when the Lions, who had been seeking to keep their playoff hopes alive, fell 29-24 to the Steelers in Detroit. That loss dropped Detroit to 8-7 and removed a necessary scenario in which Chicago could be knocked out of contention. With that result, Chicago cannot be eliminated from postseason play even before finishing its own regular-season schedule.
Chicago’s path forward is straightforward: win either of its last two games (at San Francisco on the road or at home against Detroit) to clinch the NFC North title. If the Bears lose both remaining games, they still can capture the division if Green Bay loses at least one of its final two contests against Baltimore or Minnesota. The team’s current seed — No. 2 in the NFC — reflects both its record and the Seahawks’ superior 12-3 mark.
Analysis & Implications
Clinching a playoff berth in Ben Johnson’s first season transforms the narrative around the Bears’ 2025 campaign. After starting 0-2, the team’s 9-2 run has established offensive consistency and late-game resilience, evidenced by six victories this year after trailing in the final two minutes. That capacity to close games will be a central focus for opponents preparing for Chicago in January.
Seed positioning matters: as the No. 2 seed (for now), Chicago could avoid the most difficult early matchups and potentially secure home-field advantage in at least the first round, depending on how Seattle (12-3) and other contenders finish. However, the NFC remains congested; the Rams (11-4) and 49ers (10-4) can still alter seedings and wild-card placements, so the Bears’ final two regular-season games carry meaningful playoff seeding implications.
From a roster and strategy perspective, the Bears’ late-season surge highlights the development of Caleb Williams under center and the emergence of reliable targets like DJ Moore. Sustaining that offensive chemistry while addressing any defensive gaps will determine how deep Chicago can go in the postseason. Opponents will study the Bears’ two-minute offense and late-game play calls that produced multiple comeback outcomes this year.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Record | Seed Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks | 12-3 | No. 1–2 |
| Chicago Bears | 11-4 | No. 2–4 |
| Rams | 11-4 | Wild-card contender |
| 49ers | 10-4 | Wild-card contender |
| Packers | 9-5-1 | Division contention |
| Lions | 8-7 | Eliminated from clinching |
The table summarizes where the Bears stand relative to the core NFC competitors. With two games left, small shifts in results — especially between the Rams, 49ers and Packers — could reshuffle wild-card slots. Chicago’s head-to-head win over the Eagles (24-15 on Nov. 28) gives the Bears a tiebreaker edge against Philadelphia, a factor that could matter in final seed determinations.
Reactions & Quotes
Team and league reactions captured the mix of relief and focus that typically follows a clinch: celebration for reaching the postseason and immediate attention to finishing the regular season strong.
“Playoff bound!”
Chicago Bears (official team statement)
The team posted the announcement and celebrated the milestone on its official channels. The club emphasized that while securing a berth is a major objective achieved, preparation for the remaining two games — and postseason seeding — remains a priority.
“We kept fighting and executed when it mattered most in overtime.”
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears head coach
Coach Ben Johnson framed the victory as validation of the team’s resilience this season. He highlighted execution in late-game situations and credited the players for maintaining composure during the comeback sequence.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Chicago will rest key starters in Week 18 if the team has already secured a favorable seed — coaching strategy for the final week is not confirmed.
- Exact seeding scenarios that depend on outcomes elsewhere (for example Rams vs. 49ers results) remain contingent on final-week results and are not yet settled.
Bottom Line
The Bears have guaranteed themselves a place in the 2025 NFL postseason after a signature comeback win over Green Bay and the Lions’ loss to Pittsburgh. That achievement validates a midseason turnaround under first-year coach Ben Johnson and sets up meaningful decisions about seeding and preparation in the final two games.
How Chicago finishes the regular season will shape its playoff path: a division title is still within reach with one more win, but even without it the team has secured postseason entry and must now prioritize matchups, player health and tactical adjustments. Opponents will prepare for a team that has repeatedly found ways to win in the closing minutes — a factor that could complicate opponents’ late-game planning in January.