Chicago Bears officially eliminated from playoff contention

Considering the Chicago Bears didn't even play on Sunday, a lot occurred.

For starters, reports surfaced that defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will likely be fired after the 2014 season (LINK), and that Jay Cutler's future in Chicago is being questioned (LINK).

And now with the Detroit Lions win over the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Bears' playoff hopes are now officially over.

The Bears (5-8) have been on a rocky path all season long, suffering multiple blowouts along the way, and with the loss last Thursday to the Dallas Cowboys, they had no chance to end the season with a winning record.

Now with three games to go, they will just be trying to match last season's record of 8-8.

From the way things stand now, it doesn't appear head coach Marc Trestman is getting the boot after the season, but depending on how those last three games go, anything could happen.

The Bears will close out the 2014 season with two straight home games (vs the Saints and Lions), then close out on the road at Minnesota.