Tim Twentyman

CHICAGO

Record:10-4

Week 15 result:Chicago 31, Cleveland 3

Offensive rank:5th (369.1)

Scoring offense:9th (26.1)

Defensive rank:24th (345.5)

Scoring defense:21st (24.1)

NFC playoff picture:No. 2 seed

Chicago's playoff probability percentage stands at 74 percent.

(Next Gen Stats' playoff probability simulates the remainder of the NFL season 10,000 times to estimate every team's chances of making the playoffs)

Quotable:"I can't say enough good things about our defense," Bears head coach Ben Johnson said after holding Cleveland to three points in Sunday's win. "This was really an outstanding performance. I know we gave up a couple explosives that we'd like to have back, but outside of one or two plays, they really did a phenomenal job shutting down the run game, making it second-and-long, third-and-long and getting off the field. When you combine that with the takeaways, which were enormous for us, they really carried the day for us."

Twentyman:With their sixth win in the last seven games, coupled with the Packers' loss to the Broncos Sunday, the Bears jumped Green Bay in the NFC North standings. For the second time in three weeks, the Bears will battle the Packers for first place in the division Saturday night at Soldier Field.

The defense has always been the biggest question mark for me when wondering how far the Bears can make it in the playoffs. Chicago ranks 24th in total defense and 21st in points allowed, but they lead the NFL with 30 takeaways (21 INT, 9 FUM) and that's such a huge statistic in the Bears being No. 1 in the NFL in turnover differential at plus-20.

If the Bears win two of their final three games, or win one and the Lions lose one, they'll have the edge over Detroit in the playoff picture as the Lions cannot get to 12 wins. Detroit would hold the tiebreaker edge over Chicago if they beat the Bears Week 18 and finish with the same record.

Remaining schedule:vs. Green Bay (9-4-1), at San Francisco (10-4), vs. Detroit (8-6)

GREEN BAY

Record:9-4-1

Week 15 result:Denver 34, Green Bay 26

Offensive rank:13th (341.9)

Scoring offense:10th (24.9)

Defensive rank:6th (294.6)

Scoring defense:8th (20.1)

NFC playoff picture:No. 7 seed

Green Bay's playoff probability percentage stands at 88 percent.

Quotable:"That's obviously a really tough night in a lot of ways," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said after the loss Sunday. "It was a dogfight for most of the game and they kind of ran away with it in the second half. Also, a double whammy for us losing some pieces critical to our success."

Twentyman:It was a brutal loss Sunday for the Packers in a couple regards. First, their loss in Denver coupled with Chicago's win over Cleveland means the Bears jumped the Packers for first place in the NFC North. Second, Green Bay was decimated by injuries this weekend. They lost right tackle Zach Tom to a knee injury in the first half. Wide receiver Christian Watson was diagnosed with a chest injury and taken to a local hospital for a CT scan. Safety Evan Williams also exited the game with a knee injury. And star edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a season-ending ACL tear. That's such a huge loss for the No. 6-ranked defense in the NFL.

The Packers are still very much in the thick of the division and NFC playoff race and are now in a position where they'll have to overcome key injuries down the stretch. The offense might have to pick up some slack. If Green Bay wins two of their final three games or win one and have the Lions lose or tie one of their final three games, the Lions can't jump them in the playoff picture.

Remaining schedule:at Chicago (10-4), vs. Baltimore (7-7), at Minnesota (6-8)

DETROIT

Record:8-6

Week 15 result:Los Angeles Rams 41, Detroit 34

Offensive rank:4th (379.9)

Scoring offense:1st (30.6)

Defensive rank:21st (337.9)

Scoring defense:23rd (24.6)

NFC playoff picture:No. 8 seed

Detroit's playoff probability percentage stands at 41 percent.

Quotable:"I believe in the guys on this team, the character of the players on this team, our captains, the core of it," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of his confidence in his team to go 3-0 and still make a run at the playoffs. "We needed to play a close to perfect game. We were not able to play perfect enough, alright? We made too many errors against that team, which some other teams, it would've been enough. It's not against that team.

"But I know we can do it. These players know we can do it. You go back to work, man. I don't believe for one second that anybody's lost confidence. So, we got three to go here and we don't control our own destiny, but we need to win these three and it starts with Pittsburgh at home."

Twentyman:To me the most worrisome part of Detroit's most recent loss is how they got bullied upfront on both lines of scrimmage. That's been a common theme in most of Detroit's losses this season.

The good news for Detroit is they have a quarterback inJared Goffwho is playing high-level football for an offense that can score points. That will give them a chance in each of these last three contests in must-win situations. Can Detroit find ways to help this defense play more consistently week to week? That will ultimately determine if this team can streak together some wins and find a way into the playoffs where anything can happen.

Remaining schedule:vs. Pittsburgh (8-6), at Minnesota (6-8), at Chicago (10-4)

MINNESOTA

Record:6-8

Week 15 result:Minnesota 34, Dallas 26

Offensive rank:28th (279.4)

Scoring offense:25th (20.6)

Defensive rank:9th (307.9)

Scoring defense:13th (21.9)

NFC playoff picture:No. 11 seed

Minnesota has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Quotable:"We're building up to a little bit more experience, a little bit more time on task, a little bit more understanding of what playing the quarterback position at the NFL level is. It's a decision-maker position," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said of quarterback J.J. McCarthy's three-touchdown night with zero turnovers in the win over Dallas Sunday.

"With his ability to throw the football, from an arm-strength standpoint, he's going to have a chance to touch every blade of grass and allow us to be explosive. And then I think, he's made some big-time throws in some big moments."

Twentyman:The Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention but will still play a part in the playoff picture in the NFC and the division race with games remaining at home to end the season vs. Detroit and Green Bay. These last three games are important for Minnesota and their first-year starting quarterback to play good football and build some momentum heading into an important offseason for the Vikings as they try to retool and become division contenders again in 2026.

Remaining schedule:at New York Giants (2-12), vs. Detroit (8-6), vs. Green Bay (9-4-1)