Ben Johnson had three goals for the 2025 NFL regular season.

The first-year Bears head coach checked off two, winning 11 games and clinching the NFC North title. But after a 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, Johnson’s team can’t reach his third goal — the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, and the first-round bye that comes with it.

However, the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds remain in play, and the Bears (11-5) can earn the former Sunday with a regular-season-ending win over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. 

“We’re playing to win this week,” Johnson said.

[READ: Ben Johnson clearly states Bears’ approach vs Lions in NFL Week 18 game]

Here’s how the Bears can secure the No. 2 seed in Week 18:

• Bears defeat Lions OR
• Bears tie vs. Lions and Eagles tie vs. Commanders OR
• Commanders defeat Eagles

As the No. 2 seed, the Bears would host a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, who are locked in as the No. 7 seed. The Bears split the regular-season series with the Packers and would face them for the third time since Dec. 7.

Here’s how the Bears could finish as the No. 3 seed, per USA TODAY.

• Bears lose to Lions and Eagles win or tie vs. Commanders
• Bears tie vs. Lions and Eagles defeat Commanders

In that scenario, the Bears would face one of two NFC West playoff teams: the San Francisco 49ers or Los Angeles Rams.

If the Seattle Seahawks defeat the 49ers on Saturday and the Rams down the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, San Francisco would visit Chicago in the NFC wild-card round.

[READ: Bears report card: Team grades in NFL Week 17 loss to 49ers]

There are two scenarios in which a No. 3-seeded Bears team would welcome the Rams to Soldier Field:

• 49ers defeat Seahawks OR
• Seahawks beat 49ers and Cardinals defeat Rams

The Bears played the Rams in Week 4 of the 2024 season. Chicago didn’t allow Matthew Stafford to throw a touchdown pass and intercepted him once in a 24-18 home win.