Chicago would still have a mathematical shot at the wild card with a loss, but the odds are slim at best, even if it beats Green Bay and Houston on Dec. 28. In that case, the Bears would need four of these five scenarios to play out:

• Washington to lose one of its three remaining games. (@ Cin - L, vs. Phi, @ SF) CHECK
• Philadelphia to lose its NEXT GAME - since Dallas won, Philadelphia will have to beat them in Week 17. (vs. Cle – W, @ Was, vs. Dal)
• Atlanta to drop two of three. (vs. TB – W, @ Min, vs. Stl)
• Dallas to lose two of three. (vs. NYG – W, vs. Bal, @ Phi)
• Tampa Bay to lose its final three games. (@ Atl – L, vs. SD, vs. Oak)

Bears Wildcard hopes took a hit with Tampa Bay losing to Atlanta. We would need Atlanta to lose their next 2 OR Tampa Bay to lose their next 2. For obvious reasons, we can’t have Atlanta losing to Min for our Division hopes would take a hit AND they play the hapless Rams in Week 17, thus making it unlikely Atlanta will lose out. Therefore, we have to root for Tampa Bay to lose their next 2 AT HOME none-the-less, Dallas to lose their next 2, and Philadelphia to lose @ Was. Our Wild Card hopes come down to Tampa Bay and their ability to win at home. Otherwise, we’re looking at winning our next 2 and Minnesota losing their next 2. I can see Minnesota doing that with a hungry Atlanta team and a Giants team that will actually be playing for a better seed after tonight’s loss to Dallas.

So, for the upcoming games, we need Dallas to lose next Saturday vs. Baltimore, Philadelphia to lose next Sunday @ Washington, and Tampa Bay to lose next Sunday vs. San Diego to keep the Wildcard hopes alive.