Bear Down Or Hibernate: How Far Will Chicago Bears Go In 2012 Playoffs?
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After starting the season 1-1, followed by a 6 game winning
streak, the Chicago Bears have lost 3 of their last four games. They are no
longer the NFC North division leader. According to the current NFC playoff picture,
the Bears hold a wildcard spot along with the Seattle Seahawks. Chicago has
already lost two of the biggest games on their schedule. As I mentioned in my
article, these two teams that defeated them were the Houston Texans who were
7-1 along with the Bears at the time they met, and the San Francisco 49ers,
which would have been a chance for the Bears to rebound and show the NFL world
they can win the “test games.”
When they lost to the 49ers in Candlestick Park on MNF, November
19th, they were without starting quarterback, Jay Cutler, due to a
concussion suffered the week before in a loss to the Texans in Chicago on
Sunday Night Football. The 49ers were also without their starting quarterback,
Alex Smith. Chicago only put 7 points on the board and allowed 32 in their loss
to San Francisco, and they scored only two field goals in their loss to the
Texans, and gave up 13.
Bears fans might argue that Jay Cutler missing the second
half of the game was the difference in the loss to Houston Texans, but the
49ers Colin Kaepernick subbed in for Alex Smith when they met Chicago in week
11, and had no problem moving the offense. So what was the problem for the
Chicago Bears? They were simply outplayed by the Houston Texans defense and the
49ers totally dominated and controlled the entire game.
Chicago followed up with a win (28-10) in week 12 versus
their division against Minnesota Vikings. In week 13, they hosted Seattle
Seahawks and lost 23-17 in overtime. The Seahawks are a team I did not overlook
on the Bears schedule. This game was a game I figured the Bears can lose if
they were not careful, especially after losing two of their last three games
prior to meeting Seattle. The Seahawks are a team that was 4-2 prior to being an even
.500 team at the half of the season with a 4-4 record. The Seahawks made their
way into Chicago and went away with an overtime victory (23-17). This is where
the Bears hopes for going far in the playoffs raise concerns.
Although the game is played at a higher level in the
playoffs, the Bears haven’t proved in the regular season that they can win
tough, test games. The teams they lost to, especially Houston and San
Francisco, has a better look of going a long way in the postseason. Of the Bears
remaining four games on their schedule, 3 of them are against their own
division (MIN week 14, GB week 15, DET week 17). The Packers lead the NFC
North, the Vikings are in the hunt for a playoff spot, and the Lions playoff
hopes are over. Their division games with Green Bay and Minnesota are
important. In week 16 they will travel to meet the Arizona Cardinals, who have
lost 8 straight after starting their season 4-0.
Bears fans including myself would love to see Chicago make
it to the Superbowl, but from my perspective as a sportswriter and analyzing the
games, it appears that Chicago won’t make it to the Superbowl, UNLESS they make a huge impact and
turnaround in the playoffs. Of all NFC teams that appear to be in the current
playoff picture, the Bears are either outcoached or outplayed by these teams. The
division leaders are Green Bay Packers (coaching advantage, Mike McCarthy),
Atlanta Falcons (lead entire NFC), New York Giants (reigning champions with
coach, Tom Coughlin) and San Francisco 49ers (outplayed Bears 32-7 with second
string quarterback).
It’s not over. There are about five weeks until the NFL
playoffs officially kick off. Earlier in the season, I made a “#bold prediction”
(NFL Network) that the Superbowl will be a rematch of Superbowl XX, Bears vs
Patriots, but I changed my mind since the Pats started slowing down, while the
Bears were up. Now the Pats have turned their season around and are 9-3 while
the Bears are falling.
Stay tuned for my article on playoff predictions.
Nate Gray
@nategrayzone
Facebook: NateGrayZone
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