Crazy how just a few years ago we would be looking at the Tankathon rankings to see how high a pick the Bears would get, and now it's their playoff odds.

Through Week 7, the Bears have a 71% chance to make the playoffs, the 3rd highest in the NFC, only behind MIN and SF as the 5th Seed (best non-Division winner). They would play CAR if the season ended today.

The 8th Seed right now is SEA. GB is the 7th Seed. The Bears just have to beat out one of them to make the playoffs, preferably both. GB owns the tie breaker right now. So the MNF game against SEA is huge.

If they don't shit the bed against TB or N.O, they should be 7-3, at worst, before rolling into DET for Thanksgiving. Normally, you need 10 to get in. 8-2 would virtually guarantee them a spot, but even at 7-3, they'll be in great position to make the playoffs. Given MIN's 6-0 start and Detroit's easy schedule, if they want to repeat as NFC North champs, they're almost certainly going to need a better than 2-4 record inside the division to do so. Those games still remain a major issue for Ben Johnson.