Bears coach Lovie Smith tried to keep his message positive a day after his latest loss to the Green Bay Packers.
On Monday, Smith said the Bears' playoff hopes remained alive despite a slump that has included five losses in the past six games. At 8-6, the Bears likely will need to win their final two games of the regular season for a shot at a wild-card playoff berth.
All hope of a division title is lost after the Packers clinched the NFC North on the Bears' turf.
"Yesterday's game was a must game for the NFC North championship," Smith said Monday at Halas Hall. "But besides that, it wasn't a must game as far as what can happen with our season.
"This week, we're to that must game – a term that has begun for us. It's about Arizona."
Here is a look at the Bears' place in the conference standings entering Week 16.
Division leaders –
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-2)
2. San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1)
3. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
4. Washington Redskins (8-6)
Wild-card positions –
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-5)
6. Minnesota Vikings (8-6)
In the hunt –
7. Chicago Bears (8-6)
8. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)
9. New York Giants (8-6)
10. St. Louis Rams (6-7-1)
The Bears will return to practice Wednesday at Halas Hall to prepare for the Cardinals.
-Tom Musick
