Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears are finally getting some more respect.
In the standings, they are the No. 1 seed in the NFC. But the playoffs don’t start today, so it doesn’t matter. The numbers also say the Bears only have a 77 percent chance to even make the postseason, despite their place atop the standings.
Sure, most of that is likely down to three remaining NFC North games and a 1-2 overall record against their division.
Either way, put some respect on the Chicago Bears.
I think the rankings reflect it.
6. Chicago Bears (9-3) Previous Week: 9
The Bears are… For real. Not only have they won nine of their last 10 games following a (0-2) start to the season, but they have beaten division leaders in back-to-back weeks. Although the Steelers’ win could have been written off as beating another backup quarterback, their complete domination of the Eagles in Philadelphia is undeniable. For as impressive as this run has been for Chicago, their final five games of the season feature just one team under .500. They might have notched their first winning season in seven years, but they’ve still got some work to do before locking up a playoff spot. That said, they’ll enter Week 14 as the top seed in a loaded NFC. Next up, a late afternoon showdown at Lambeau for sole possession of first place in the North.
5. Bears (No. 7; 9-3): Their locker-room celebrations make everyone else’s seem boring by comparison.
8. Chicago Bears (15): They’ve swept the NFC East. They’ve swept Pennsylvania. If the team currently sitting atop the NFC can win at Lambeau Field on Sunday, then any notions of fraudulence should be fully put to bed.
6 (12): Chicago Bears (9-3)
Heading into Week 13, the Bears didn’t have a win against a team with a record better than .500. They rectified that. Chicago didn’t just sneak by Philadelphia; the Bears were absolutely dominant. The key to the Bears currently being the No. 1 seed in the NFC is the running game. The Bears are second in the NFL in rushing yards, and they were able to rush for 281 yards at Philadelphia. As the weather gets worse, that’s a good strength to have.
6. Chicago Bears (11) The day after last Thanksgiving, Chicago fired Matt Eberflus after the Bears completely flubbed the end of a loss to the Lions. The day after this Thanksgiving, they proved they’re for real with four quarters of dominance over the Eagles in Philadelphia. I suspect this was the first time a lot of folks outside the Midwest sat down to watch a whole Bears game this season, and they had to be impressed with Ben Johnson’s team. Chicago’s offensive line looked something like a Macedonian phalanx, plowing its way to a 281-yard rushing...
