The Chicago Bears received devastating news for their postseason hours after they defeated the Atlanta Falcons on New Year’s Eve. The Green Bay Packers knocked their rival out of the playoffs a week before they were set to play the Bears to finish the regular season in Week 18.
The 6-9 Bears needed to win and a lot of things to go right for them Sunday in order to stay in the playoff hunt in Week 18, including the New York Giants beating the Los Angeles Rams. The Bears helped their chances by going to 7-9 on Sunday, but former Packers kicker Mason Crosby missed a game-winning field Giants.
Before the Sunday Night Football matchup with the Packers and Minnesota Vikings, the Bears’ only path to stay in the hunt was for the SNF game to end in a tie.
The ONLY outcome of the #Packers vs. #Vikings game that can keep the #Bears in playoff contention…is a TIE.
(h/t @NFLonCBS) pic.twitter.com/3teAWqHyk0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2024
Since the Packers defeated the Vikings Sunday night, the Bears are now eliminated from the playoff hunt in Week 17.
Chicago Bears fans react to being eliminated from the playoffs
Bears fans reacted to being eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. Here are the best takes of Bears fans looking forward to April instead of January.
#Bears are eliminated from the playoffs, but can keep the Packers out of them with a win Sunday at 3:25 pm
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) January 1, 2024
With the #Packers win. The #Bears are ELIMINATED from playoff contention.
(h/t @PFF) https://t.co/ld1onBrgJz pic.twitter.com/ZFdOxj4aop
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2024
The Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention pic.twitter.com/9SRbsNuLtD
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 1, 2024