NFL Playoff Bracket Scenarios 2026-27 Week 9 After Caleb Williams, Bears Upset Seahawks on MNF

The Chicago Bears delivered a statement on the road with a 34-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

The Bears won't end the night in first place in the division or conference, but they showcased just how dangerous of a team they can be against the reigning Super Bowl champion.

Caleb Williams and Co. will head into Week 9 with a half-game deficit beneath the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.

Seattle dropped down to .500 with the defeat. It sits on the outside of the NFC wild-card race right now, but it is only one game behind the Green Bay Packers for the No. 7 seed.

Chicago is one of four NFC North teams in a playoff position at the end of Week 8.

There's a real chance the Bears get into the playoff field alongside the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers given the lack of competitiveness in the NFC East and South.

The 6-2 Bears have the chance to feast on the NFC North in their next two games. They host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday night and then welcome the New Orleans Saints in Week 11 off the bye.

Chicago has four games left against its divisional foes, so there's plenty of time for it to get in front of the competition and make a run for the No. 1 seed.

As for Seattle, it needs to find a way to rebound in the next two weeks against the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. Two wins in those games would allow the Seahawks to carry some confidence into the bye and rest up for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.

The Seahawks play four games against the NFC East and South after their Week 11 bye. The other three contests in the closing stretch come against the 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.

The reigning Super Bowl champion isn't in a good spot now, but the favorable schedule should allow the Seahawks to get into the top seven by mid December.

Ten teams have a realistic chance to make the AFC postseason based on record.

You could argue, though, the Baltimore Ravens with all of their quarterback injury issues are more on the outside looking in than the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

All three teams in the AFC wild-card positions have five victories, as do the Browns in eighth. The four division leaders sit with five or six wins, so any set of results in any given week could significantly alter the AFC standings.

Baltimore faces a tough Thursday night home clash with Jacksonville. A loss in that game could put the Ravens in a tough spot when it comes to their playoff chances.

A majority of the playoff contenders in the AFC play out-of-conference games in Week 9, a slate headlined by the Buffalo Bills' Monday night showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.