If the playoffs started today, the Bears would host the Dallas Cowboys in Soldier Field Jan. 5 or 6. But the race for the third NFC playoff spot and probable Bears` first-round opponent remains the most crowded.
Six teams could finish 8-8-Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Dallas, New Orleans, Green Bay, and the Los Angeles Rams.
In that case, the tiebreaker would extend to net points in conference games. At the moment, the Saints lead in that category with the Cowboys second.
In the other NFC opener, the Washington Redskins would host the Philadelphia Eagles.
The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers would host the winners on Jan. 12-13.
The Pittsburgh Steelers would host the Houston Oilers and the Miami Dolphins would host the Kansas City Chiefs Jan. 5-6 in the AFC wild-card games. The Los Angeles Raiders and Buffalo Bills would have byes.
Only the Bills, Raiders, and Dolphins have clinched playoff spots in the AFC. In the NFC, the 49ers, Giants, Bears, Redskins and Eagles are in.
Despite their victory over the Bears, the Lions were mathematically eliminated Sunday and join the Atlanta Falcons as the only two NFC teams on the sidelines.
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