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With five games left to play, the Bears are the No. 1 team in the NFC.
The Rams’ surprise loss to the Panthers on Sunday moved the 9-3 Bears from the second spot in the NFC playoff chase to first. Were the season to end today, the Bears would have a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. They’d own the tiebreaker against the Rams because they have a better conference win percentage.
The Bears have already sent postseason invoices to season ticket holders. NFL rules dictate that teams must do so after 13 weeks if they’re in first place of their division — the Bears are — or within three games of the division lead and with a record of better than .