THE Chicago Bear are enjoying a Sunday off following a Thursday night loss to the Seattle Seahawks. With just two games left in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take final shape, with three NFC North teams all vying for the highest possible seeding.
With no Bears game on the schedule for Sunday, there are still a few games to watch in Week 17, including two games in the NFC North and a showdown between two rookie quarterbacks going head-to-head and battling for their playoff spot playoffs. Either narrative could have been a possibility for the Bears — a showdown with their NFC North rival to secure a playoff spot or their rookie quarterback leading them to a potential wild card spot like Jayden Daniels has it for Washington Commanders. Instead, there are more questions than answers surrounding Caleb Williams.
Here are three must-see games from Week 17:
Sunday, December 29, 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX
![Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during a game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kQFNDkMoEd4K9Jt5nXnq9g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzOA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/chicago_bears_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_533/1243695f0c25356f0ec3e4ba53c2b60f)
With all the discussions surrounding the Detroit Lions and their potential run to the Super Bowl, the Minnesota Vikings were the biggest surprise of the season. Although the Green Bay Packers have clinched their playoff spot, the Vikings are still fighting for a shot at the NFC North division title, and the Packers can maintain a strong rivalry between them. Even with the Packers’ playoff position, they will have an opportunity to spoil Minnesota’s hopes, and the last time they met, the Vikings slipped away with a two-point victory.
Sunday, December 29, 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC
Given that the Washington Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick, while the Bears selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, and the two teams are on completely opposite ends of their seasons, the comparisons will always be there. Daniels has put the Commanders in position to earn a playoff berth, controlling their destiny as they sit at the seventh and final playoff seed. Meanwhile, Atlanta turned to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after Kirk Cousins continued to underperform in the first year of his $100 million-plus contract.
Atlanta and Washington gave themselves the opportunity to not only make the playoffs, but also make a lot of noise while doing so. The Commanders and Falcons also exemplify what the Bears would like to be this season, a team led by head coaches who know how to win and have strong leadership personalities, who also work hard to position their rookie quarterback in the best position to succeed. The same can’t be said for Williams in Chicago. So fans would have a good idea of what things could be like in the future, if the Bears organization finds the right coach to pair with Williams.
Monday, December 30, 7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN
After destroying the Bears in Week 16, the Detroit Lions have a chance to beat a shabby and underperforming San Francisco 49ers team. Looking to gain ground and distance themselves from the division title race with the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions will support the Packers while trying to handle their own affairs in San Francisco. A Week 18 matchup against Minnesota awaits, and the Lions have a perfect opportunity to put an emphatic mark on the end of their regular season.
This article was originally published on Bears Wire: Bears mini-bye: Must-see NFL games in Week 17
