The Chicago Bears (6-6) return to Soldier Field looking to extend their winning streak to three games as they host the Dallas Cowboys (6-6) on Thursday Night Football.
While this season has been anything but a success, the Bears are still gearing up for a late-season playoff push in the month of December, which wasn’t something many were thinking after the Bears sat at 3-5.
But if the Bears want to have any hope of a playoff berth, they’re going to need to start by taking care of business against the Cowboys.
Here are four storylines to watch as the Bears face the Rams on Sunday:
1. Can the Bears keep their playoff hopes alive?
Considering how this season has unfolded, the fact that the Bears are playing meaningful football in December is encouraging. But if the Bears are going to make a playoff push, they’re going to need to essentially win out in their final four games. That starts Thursday against the Cowboys.
Chicago will face a struggling Dallas team that is also fighting for a playoff spot — only they’re fighting to win the NFC East over the Philadelphia Eagles. So the Cowboys have plenty to play for, even after they were embarrassed on Thanksgiving against the Buffalo Bills.
While the Bears need plenty of help for any hope at the playoffs, they also have to take care of business. You could argue that the .500 Cowboys are the easiest remaining opponent for the Bears, who will also battle three teams with winning records on track for the playoffs in the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings.