Chicago Bears Just Cleared Two Gigantic Hurdles To The #1 Pick

The Chicago Bears are on their bye week, getting a chance to rest and recover from some injuries. However, that doesn't mean this weekend of games lacked importance—quite the contrary. Everybody knows the team holds the Carolina Panthers' 1st round pick in 2024, thanks to the D.J. Moore trade last March. Thanks to their 1-10 record coming into this Sunday, the Bears have control of the #1 pick next spring. Another loss would ensure it stays that way. The day's action didn't disappoint.

If ever there was a chance for Carolina to ruin Chicago's hopes, it was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who'd lost six of their last seven games. It almost happened. They took a 10-7 lead in the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately, as has been the case all year, they could not finish. Tampa Bay scored two touchdowns and picked off Bryce Young in the final minutes to put the game away. The Panthers fall to 1-11.

Yet the good news didn't end there. An equally big development occurred in Pittsburgh, where the Arizona Cardinals stunned the Steelers 24-10. Until now, Arizona was considered the biggest threat to Carolina's grip on the #1 spot. This victory pushes them to 3-9, two games behind the Panthers. Now, only one team remains within striking distance. That is the New England Patriots.

The Chicago Bears' path to the #1 pick is almost clear.

Arizona is playing much better lately. It wouldn't be surprising if they get one more win before the season ends. That would mean the Patriots are the only team that could conceivably overtake the Panthers for that top spot. Yet even that is looking unlikely. All one has to do is look at Carolina's remaining schedule for an idea of why.

• at Saints
• vs. Falcons
• vs. Packers
• at Jaguars
• vs. Buccaneers

They already lost earlier this season against New Orleans and Atlanta. Green Bay is playing better in recent weeks and is simply a better team. Jacksonville is leading their division. It seems like the Panthers' only realistic chance to get another win is the rematch with Tampa Bay in the season finale.

That means New England would only need one win in their remaining five games to ensure the Chicago Bears that #1 pick. Two of those games come against the Steelers and Jets. Not easy, but winnable. The Patriots defense hasn't allowed more than 10 points in a game for three weeks. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the odds favor the Bears.