Are the Bears still in the playoff hunt? Here’s how they make the post-season

The Chicago Bears’ Week 15 loss to the Cleveland Browns was nearly lethal. But the Bears aren’t dead yet.

Yes, they’re on an NFL season’s equivalent of life support, but a pulse remains.

Here’s what needs to happen in Week 16 for the Chicago Bears to stay alive (courtesy of NBC Sports Chicago):

• Rams defeat Saints
• Colts defeat Falcons
• Titans defeat Seahawks
• Lions defeat Vikings
• Packers defeat Panthers
• Eagles defeat Giants
• Ravens defeat 49ers
• Bears defeat Cardinals

If you look closely at that list, if you really want to keep hope alive, every one of those outcomes is possible, including the Bears defeating the Cardinals at home on Christmas Eve.

The most difficult challenge will probably be the Titans game. I have a hard time believing they’ll defeat the Seahawks, but I didn’t think the Panthers would beat the Falcons last week, either.

It gets a little more complicated in Week 17.

Week 17

• Lions defeat Cowboys
• Giants defeat Rams
• Buccaneers defeat Saints
• Steelers defeat Seahawks
• Vikings defeat Packers
• Bears defeat Falcons

The Giants are a bad football team. The Rams, meanwhile, are surging. The Steelers are trending in the wrong direction, too. Those pesky Seahawks don’t want to go away, huh? This is the week that the Chicago Bears’ season could officially come to an end.

If a miracle happens and the Bears are still alive in Week 18, here’s what needs to happen:

Week 18

• Lions defeat Vikings
• Falcons defeat Saints
• 49ers defeat Rams
• Bears defeat Packers

Week 18 is probably the most favorable for the Bears. The Falcons are the wild card, but they certainly have enough talent to defeat the Saints.

One game, one week at a time, right?

Look at the bright side: at least there’s still a reason for Chicago Bears fans to pay attention to wins and losses in Week 16.