Last season, the Chicago Bears were fighting for a Wild Card playoff spot late into the year. Despite their prolonged struggles in 2019, there was still a fighting chance. Until there wasn’t.
Well, that chance will get a little better for the Bears moving forward as the NFL’s postseason will expand from 12 to 14 teams, adding a seventh seed in both the NFC and AFC.
The NFL’s playoffs expansion has officially passed as owners voted to approve expanding the postseason starting with the 2020 season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The NFL owners have confirmed, via a vote on today’s teleconference, that there will be expanded playoffs after the 2020 season, source said. Expected and now official. One more team per conference.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 31, 2020
Following a division title and postseason appearance in 2018, the Bears are looking to get back on track following an underwhelming 8-8 season. Chicago has a number of needs on their roster, most notably on the offensive side of the ball.
New Bears quarterback Nick Foles will battle for the starting role with former No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky while the offense also deals with concerns at tight end and offensive line.
The Bears will be returning a top-five defense from a season ago, although they’re without some key contributors from last season. Still, the expectation is for Chicago’s defense to pick up where they left off, especially when they get back defensive powerhouses Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan.
If the Bears can figure out a way to establish a middle-of-the-pack offense this season, there’s no reason why the Bears shouldn’t be in the hunt for the NFC North title or one of now seven playoff spots.
If the current playoff format would’ve existed over the last decade, the Bears would’ve made the playoffs twice more — in 2011 and 2012 — and the landscape of the franchise could look a lot different than it does now.
But, all we can focus on is the future. Now that there’s an extra playoff spot up for grabs — a coveted seventh seed — the Bears’ playoff chances got a little better.
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