Chicago Bears complete remarkable turnaround to make NFL playoffs despite rout by Green Bay Packers

NFL headlines: Browns end league’s longest playoff drought with win over Steelers

SHARE

SHARE

TWEET

SHARE

EMAIL

Click to expand

UP NEXT

The Green Bay Packers snapped Chicago’s three-game winning streak on Sunday with a 35-16 victory in Soldier Field, but the Bears won’t have long to lament their loss. For that, they can thank the Arizona Cardinals, whose 18-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams seals the Bears’ slot as the conference’s seventh seed.

Chicago’s playoff berth seemed unlikely one month ago. The Bears (8-8) lost six in a row culminating in a Dec. 6 loss to Detroit. Their offense coughed up 11 balls in that stretch, their defense notching just three takeaways. A late-season push and weak NFC East helped them qualify for the postseason at .500.

The Bears positioned themselves well with five wins in the first six weeks of the season, including 20-19 over the Buccaneers, who earned the top wild-card spot in the conference. But quarterback struggles – pick your midseason poison of Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky – and a stalling offensive stalling made for a long November.

© Nam Y. Huh, AP The Bears were beaten by the Packers but not stopped in their quest for a playoff berth.

From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.

In the final quarter of the season, Trubisky’s improved ball security and a game plan capitalizing on running back David Montgomery’s talents have given Chicago’s offense the firepower to complete games. The Bears, who declined Trubisky’s fifth-year option in May, now have a decision to make on the expiring contract of the 2017 second overall pick. In his second postseason appearance, he’ll have another chance to make his case.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago Bears complete remarkable turnaround to make NFL playoffs despite rout by Green Bay Packers