Their best way into the postseason is by winning their last two games and having the Vikings lose their last two to win the NFC North. But if the Vikings clinch the division with a victory over the Falcons today, the Bears will have to realize their postseason dreams the hard way -- getting through a wild-card logjam that includes four teams ahead of them.

Here are the games that could buoy the Bears' chances. Every team they need to lose is favored, but stranger things have happened in the NFL, haven't they?

San Diego Chargers (6-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)

Time: Noon

The Bucs can clinch a playoff spot with a victory and losses by Atlanta and Philadelphia. The Chargers are still alive at 6-8, but they need to win out and have Denver lose their last two games. Once regarded as the most talented team in Football, the Chargers are down to two Pro Bowl players, tight end Antonio Gates and guard Kris Dielman. Tampa Bay has been on and off with its run defense. Word that longtime coordinator Monte Kiffin will be leaving the team to join son Lane's staff at the University of Tennessee could inspire a final push or might leave the Bucs flat. The Chargers could help the Bears out with a big effort, but West Coast teams traveling three time zones are 1-15 this season.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Time: 3:15 p.m. TV: Fox-32

Bears fans will be big birds fans today. The Falcons are tied with the Giants for the No. 1 rushing offense in the league; the Vikings' run defense has been among the best for three years. But Minnesota will be without defensive tackle Pat Williams, who'll miss the last two games with a fractured shoulder. The Vikings also have changed quarterbacks, with 37-year-old Gus Frerotte giving way to Tarvaris Jackson after Frerotte broke a bone in his lower back against Detroit a couple of weeks ago. Jackson rallied the Vikings against the Lions, then threw a career-high four touchdown passes in a 35-14 victory last Sunday at Arizona. The key could be the Falcons' run defense, which has been up and down all year. The game features the top two rushers in the league, and if Michael Turner can outperform Adrian Peterson, the Bears might get their desired outcome.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)

at Washington Redskins (7-7)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

When Donovan McNabb was benched four weeks ago, it seemed certain that he'd be out of Philadelphia in the offseason. But in the three games since, he has led the Eagles back into contention and emerged as the hottest passer in the league with seven touchdown passes to go with one interception. The Eagles still need some help. They have to beat Washington and Dallas and hope that Tampa Bay or Atlanta loses one of its two remaining games. The Redskins are reeling with a crisis of confidence after losing to Cincinnati. Coach Jim Zorn may have made a terrible mistake in discussing their spiral to 7-7 when he said: ''I just feel like the worst coach in America'' during a Monday media briefing. The Redskins averaged only 11 points in their last six games, with their only victory in the second half by three points against the Seahawks.

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