NFL playoff picture: What does Packers-Bears mean for NFC standings in Week 16

The NFL returns to Saturday football for the first time this season, and we get a doozy of a matchup in the late slot. The Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers with first place in the NFC North on the line. The Packers are a 1.5-point road favorite in this rematch from Week 14.

In that prior contest, Green Bay jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first half and appeared set to cruise to victory. Chicago fought back in the second half and tied it art 21 midway through the fourth quarter. The Packer retook the lead with 3:32 left and the Bears had one more opportunity. They drove down to the Packers 14 yard line, but Caleb Williams threw a game-ending interception in the end zone on 4th and 1.

The Packers took over first place with that win, but then followed it with a road loss to the Broncos last week. The Bears crushed the Browns at home and were able to recapture the division lead.

Bears, Packers playoff clinching scenarios

The NFC North title will not be decided in Week 16, but the winner of this game will clinch a playoff berth with some help. The winner of this game will punch their ticket if the Lions lose at home to the Steelers on Sunday afternoon.

NFC North standings

The winner of the game will be in first place heading into the final two weeks. The Packers follow this game with a home game against the Ravens and a road game against the Vikings. The Bears final two games are on the road against the 49ers and then at home against the Lions. This game will give one of the teams the division lead, but plenty could change these final two weeks.

1. Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1
2. Chicago Bears: 10-4
3. Detroit Lions: 8-6
4. Minnesota Vikings: 6-8

NFC standings

The Bears are in second place in the conference, a game back of the Rams and a game up on the Eagles. The Packers sit in seventh place, just over a half game back of the 49ers and just over a game and a half up on the Lions. If the Bears win on Saturday, they’ll remain in second place overall and the Packers will remain in seventh place. If the Packers win, they’ll move into second place and the Bears would slip to seventh place.

1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
2. Chicago Bears (10-4)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) — .714
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) — .678
8. Detroit Lions (8-6) — .571
9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) – e
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9) – e
13. New Orleans Saints (4-10) – e
14. Washington Commanders (4-10) – e
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11) – e
16. New York Giants (2-12) – e

Tiebreaker implications

The Packers beat the Bears in Week 14. If Green Bay wins, they clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker. If Chicago wins, it would move down to the division record tiebreaker. However, since the Packers have a tie on their record, the division title likely will not come down to a tiebreaker.