Bears see jump in playoff odds after winning two straight

After losing six straight, it seemed as though the writing was on the wall for the Bears’ 2020 season.

Two wins later, though, they still find themselves in the thick of the NFC Wild Card race.

Heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Jaguars, the Bears are slated as having +185 odds of making it into the playoffs, which is roughly a 35 percent chance when converted to a percentage. They still trail behind the Cardinals, who are currently one game ahead of them in the NFC Wild Card race and are currently listed at -240. The gap has closed over the past few weeks, however, and the seventh seed in the NFC is still very much up for grabs.

For reference, the Bears were listed at +310 three weeks ago, translating to roughly a 24 percent chance of the odds hitting. Those odds jumped to +662 after their loss to the Lions, but the lines have since become more favorable after they beat the Texans and Vikings.

The Bears will need a handful of scenarios to go their way over the next two weeks, including a lucky break or two to fall their way involving the Cardinals. Arizona has to lose at least one of their two upcoming matchups against the 49ers and Rams, and that would only get Chicago into the playoffs if they win out their remaining two games. If the Bears lose to one of the Jaguars or Packers, then they would be eliminated unless the Cardinals lose out. The Vikings are also mathematically still in the playoff race, but they would need both the Bears and Cardinals to lose out in order to acquire the seventh seed.

Needless to say, the Bears still face an uphill battle in order to make it into the postseason this year. It is reassuring, though, that they are in a better situation than they were just a few weeks ago.