Keep Hope (playoffs) Alive-Bears In with Packers Win
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Week 17 of NFL football featured a NFC North Showdown with Packers at Vikings and Bears at Lions. Chicago Bears traveled into Motor City in the hunt for a playoff spot with a 9-6 record versus Detroit Lions, last in NFC North. They were also needing help from their NFC North division leader and rival, Green Bay Packers, with a loss to Minnesota Vikings. Jay Cutler connected with Earl Bennett on a short screen pass for the first touchdown of the game for Chicago. What appeared to be a play designed for a quick first down resulted in a TD reception by Bennett.
The Bears held the Lions 20-3 for most of the second period until Detroit scored before the half bringing it 20-10. Stafford found WR, Kris Durham for a touchdown late in the third to bring it to a 20-17 Bears lead. This was a time for Chicago to regroup and bounce back to avoid a Lions comeback. A failed attempt on third and one with about 4 minutes remaining in the third put the ball back in Detroit possession. A fumble a few plays later by Lions running back, Mikel LeShoure at the Lions own 14 gave the Bears another chance.
Cutler was incomplete to Marshall on 3rd and 8 and resulted in a field goal. Chicago continued to struggle on 3rd down conversion through the last quarter and settled for 3 points in each trip to the red zone. Chicago never scored another touchdown in the second half, while Detroit outscored them 14-6 in the final two quarters.
The Bears did just enough to defeat the Lions 26-24 to keep their playoff hopes alive with a Minnesota Viking loss to the Green Bay Packers. If the Bears make it, how far will they go in the playoffs? I've always said if you're a team in a situation where your playoff hopes depends on another team losing or winning at the end of the season, you do not deserve a playoff spot. Stay tuned for Nate Gray Zone's playoff picks. Follow me @nategrayzone.
Nate Gray
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@nategrayzone
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