Bears’ Win Gives Packers Playoff Breathing Room

The Bears beat the Seahawks 34-17 on Monday night in Seattle, helping the Packers strengthen their hold on the NFC’s final playoff spot. Green Bay is 5-3 after beating Carolina on Sunday, while Seattle fell to 4-4. The Packers now lead the closest contender for seventh place by one game.

The Rams are also 4-4, but sit ninth. The Falcons, who beat Green Bay in Week 3 and hold the relevant tiebreaker, are among the teams at least two games behind the Packers.

The standings also changed the potential first-round matchup. If the season ended now, Green Bay would visit Minnesota, rather than San Francisco. The Vikings lost to Detroit on Sunday, while the 49ers had a bye, putting San Francisco atop the NFC at 6-1 and Minnesota second, also at 6-1.

After Sunday's matchup with Carolina, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love said the offense believed it could improve and score more, but needed to execute and make plays. The Packers have nine games left, including five against teams with winning records and a matchup with the Rams. Their remaining schedule is among the league’s tougher ones.

Playoff projections put Green Bay’s postseason chances between 47% and 56%, depending on the model. A win at New England on Sunday would lift several estimates; a loss would lower them. New England has prevailed in four of its five most recent games and is unbeaten at home, making the game a significant test for Green Bay.