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This NFL season is unlike any other due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And that could potentially get even weirder with a 16-team knockout potential.
With the COVID-19 outbreak in the Baltimore Ravens organization – which includes a Star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s report tested positive for COVID-19 – The Ravens’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed from Thursday night to Sunday.
But according to Adam Schefter, he’s been told there’s “no way” the Ravens-Steelers game can be played on Sunday.
According to the NFL Contingency Plan, “the playoffs will only expand to 16 teams if meaningful games are called off due to COVID-19.” That could potentially be on the table with this week’s events within the Ravens organization.
With the Ravens and Steelers having already gone through their week off, there is a possibility that the game will eventually be called off, which could ultimately trigger a 16-team playoffs.
This would likely have an impact on the Chicago Bears, who are fighting for a potential playoff spot in the NFC. But the Bears have lost four straight games and are currently 5-5, just one spot on that seventh and final playoff spot.
If the NFL were to make it to the 16-team playoffs, Chicago would currently be in the playoffs as the NFC’s No.8 seed.
The only real competition the Bears have in the NFC playoff race for this potential No.8 seed would be the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers and possibly San 49ers. Francisco. And, at this point, Chicago is still competing for a top wild card seed – and mathematically the division.
So if the Ravens-Steelers game is called off, the Bears have a good chance of sneaking into the playoffs. Now what they actually accomplish in the playoffs is a whole different story.
But first, they have six games ahead of them, including four against division rivals.
Fighting Irish Wire: ND coverage by USA TODAY Network
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