Why Chicago Bears fans have a reason to root for Aaron Rodgers in Week 16

Entering Sunday, the Chicago Bears are actually in a position to be rooting for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

That's strange to say given the history between Rodgers and the Bears from the signal-caller's days with the Green Bay Packers, but we are indeed here.

So, why should Bears fans be rooting for their self-proclaimed owner Rodgers?

As ESPN's Adam Schefter notes, if the Steelers can beat the Lions in Week 16, the Bears will officially clinch a playoff berth.

"Aaron Rodgers, who has called himself the owner of the Bears, could help clinch a playoff spot today for Chicago," Schefter wrote. "If the Steelers beat the Lions, the Bears officially would be playoff-bound."

The Bears improved their postseason chances on Saturday night with a miraculous win over Rodgers' former team, the Packers. With the win, the Bears strengthen their grip on the NFC North and inch closer to the No. 1 seed in the conference.

The Lions and Steelers both desperately need to win on Sunday, but Detroit more so.

Detroit is on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, with the Lions in the No. 8 spot in the wild-card standings. A loss doesn't eliminate them, but it does make things much more difficult for the Lions.

Meanwhile, the Steelers are sitting in first place in the AFC North and are, at the very least, trying to maintain their lead over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens are essentially two games back given the fact that Pittsburgh currently owns the head-to-head tie-breaker, although that has yet to be clinched with the Steelers and Ravens playing in Week 18.

The Steelers will remain in first place no matter the result of the game against the Lions, but they could create more space between themselves and the Ravens if Baltimore loses to the New England Patriots on Sunday night.

We know, Bears fans, there is nothing that feels right about rooting for Rodgers, but if it means making the playoffs, we can make an exception this week.

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