The Chicago Bears are preparing for one of their most important games of the season. Chicago will face off against Green Bay in Week 16 in a game that could decide the winner of the NFC North. Unfortunately, the Bears will be without two of their top offensive weapons for this statement game.
The Bears will be without both Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III against the Packers on Saturday, per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.
Odunze is dealing with a foot injury and Burden is battling an ankle injury. Both players were sidelined during Wednesday's practice and on Thursday.
Their absences will put more pressure on DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland against Green Bay.
In other Bears injury news, Chicago will also be without linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, who is dealing with a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, D'Andre Swift (groin), Tremaine Edmunds (groin), Cole Kmet (ankle/knee), and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (non-injury related, personal) are all listed as questionable ahead of Week 16.
How much could the Bears improve their playoff odds by beating Packers?
The Bears and Packers are the only two teams realistically in the hunt for the NFC North title. Detroit is technically still alive, but is unlikely to catch either Chicago or Green Bay.
So how much could the Bears improve their playoff odds with a win?
According to The Athletic's playoff simulator, Saturday's game is incredibly important. Chicago's current playoff odds are 84%.
If the Bears beat the Packers, their playoff odds improve to 97%, and their most likely outcome is winning the NFC North and hosting a home playoff game. They could even lose their next two games and achieve the same outcome.
Meanwhile, a loss would drop their odds to 70% and open the door for playoff elimination. Thought the most likely outcome in that scenario would be making the playoffs as a wild card team.
Chicago will want revenge for losing to Green Bay earlier this month. Hopefully they get their wish in front of their home crowd.
Bears vs. Packers kicks off at 8:20PM ET on Sunday.
