By Sean Sears
After a rout of the St. Louis Rams, Chicago now sits at 4-5 and things are starting to come together. The team started out the season 0-3, but has gone to win 4 out of the last 6 games. They have contended in all the games they’ve played this season (Jay Cutler has five 4th quarter comebacks, three being game winning drives), leading many people to think that being “average” might be enough to win a wildcard spot in the NFC. So is it that strange to think maybe the Bears are actually a decent team finding their way? And in a weak NFC and a favorable schedule, could the Bears potentially sneak into the playoff conversation?
Now before I get blasted by everyone for saying a team as underwhelming as the Bears could find themselves back in the playoffs, let’s diagnose their season so I can show you I’m only slightly crazy. Out of their 5 loses, the Bears have only been truly blown out twice (the Cardinals and Seahawks), but if you look past the box scores of those games you can see the Bears competed in both. Let’s take a closer look at those, and the rest of the Bears loses in 2015.
Packers @ Bears Score: 31-23, Packers
The Bears played great all game, but failed to capitalize. They would go 4 and out in the red-zone and turn it over to Rodgers and the Pack late in the 4th quarter. Luckily, the defense forced a 3 and out, giving the Bears the ball back still only down 24-16 with about 4 minutes left to play. In typical Bears fashion, Cutler would throw a pick to Clay Matthews that would lead to a Rodgers touchdown to James Jones for the 3rd time that game. (Seriously, where did that guy come from?)
Cardinals @ Bears Score: 48-23 Cardinals
The Bears were actually keeping pace with the Cardinals early in that game, only down 21-14 when Cutler threw a pick-six and injured his hamstring trying to make a tackle on the play. Clausen would come in and prove to be ineffective, with Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer destroying the Bears in the slot for 3 touchdowns. Bears probably still lose this game, but it’s closer if Cutler stays healthy.
Bears @ Seahawks Score: 26-0 Seahawks
The Seattle game was actually 6-0 going into halftime, with Seattle not playing great football earlier this season. With the Bears running the most vanilla offense in history with Cutler sitting and Clausen in. A kick return touchdown by Tyler Lockette and only one touchdown scoring drive from the Seahawks would solidify a win. Bears just didn’t play to win that game.
Bears @ Lions Score: 37-34
After bouncing back with two straight wins, Jay Cutler and the Bears offense were playing great football, but the defense had one of its worst games of the year. They couldn’t stop a struggling Matthew Stafford from throwing for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns. However Stafford was helped out by the officials on a key play in overtime when he hooked up with Calvin Johnson for a 57 yard heave to setup the game winning field goal. Willie Young (Number 97) was clearly held on the play (see below), and it looked like Young was at least going to rush Stafford to throw the ball early, if not sack him. But, there was suspect calls on both teams throughout the game (the NFL really needs to make the definition of a catch more basic, because nobody knows what a catch is anymore) and it wasn’t the referee’s fault the Bears lost. What really cost the Bears was their conservative play at the end of the 4th quarter and overtime, as John Fox elected to put the ball in Matt Forte’s hands as opposed to Cutler. Even though Jay was having a great game, the Bears elected to play it safe with the run game. I don’t agree with the call, but I understand the logic behind running the ball and eating clock.
Vikings @ Bears Score: 23-20
This game was a total giveaway by the Bears. Both teams played well, but with about 5 minutes left in the game, Cutler and the offense scored after putting together a 14 play, 74 yard drive that ate 8:34 off the clock. The Bears just had to stop the Vikings, leading 20-13, and failed to do so. Vikings score a miracle touchdown with under 2 minutes to play, Bears go three and out on the ensuing drive, and the Vikings get into kicking range off a another miracle throw from Teddy Bridgewater. They would knock in the game winning field goal as time expires.
Looking ahead, the Bears will be tested with the Broncos coming to Chicago this Sunday and then a Thanksgiving showdown between the Packers at Lambeau Field. But with all these close games, and now climbing to a more respectable 4-5, the Bears are starting to gain some respect around the league and with the media. With two impressive wins against the Chargers and Rams, this Bears momentum swing could not have come at a more perfect time. The Packers have lost 3 straight games, including an embarrassing home loss against the Lions. While the Broncos were shutout at home against the Chiefs and a struggling Peyton Manning was forced out the game with a foot injury after throwing 4 interceptions. (Peyton will not play against the Bears this Sunday, and I can’t decide if that’s a good or bad thing.) And beyond those two teams, the rest of the season is filled with very winnable games for the Bears. But even with the current winning streak, the solid defensive play, and the clicking Jay Cutler led offense, none of those are the main reason this team is playing good football right now.
It’s the coaching staff.
Pace (left) and Fox (right), have done a great job of mixing scheme with locker room fit.
After the Monday Night win against the Chargers, the ESPN postgame crew was interviewing Zach Miller (who made this ridiculous catch for the win). Miller said the coaching staff has “set the tone” for this team and put them in the position to succeed. This new staff has gotten the Bears to “buy in” on the new schemes and culture Ryan Pace and John Fox’s coaching staff has tried to instill, and the restored faith is starting to pay off. This roster, on paper, should not be playing as well as they are. The defense doesn’t have play makers but shows up in clutch moments, Jay Cutler has been making replacement level players look like worthy fantasy waiver wire studs, and even with Kevin White (Bears 2015 first round pick) missing the entire season due to injury, young players are making contributions all over the field. With a few minor hiccups along the way (signing Ray McDonald, cutting Jay Ratliff after this happened) the front office and coaching staff has a unit that works. Chicago is overachieving, yes, but even if the Bears’ playoff aspirations start to crash after a rough few weeks, this team has given the fan base hope. (Which is dangerous in Chicago).
As great as a top 3 or 5 pick in the draft would be, the NFL is a “win now” league. And if the Bears can win some games now, and potentially make their way into the playoffs for the first time since 2010, then they should do so. With the level of play the Bears are at right now, this team just needs to learn from its past mistakes and finish games. If they were able to pull off wins in the Detroit and Minnesota games, the team is 6-3, and currently tied with the Vikings and Packers for first place in the NFC North. (I know I’m playing the “what if” game, I’m a homer) Whatever happens, at least all us Bears fans can be grateful these late season games will be fun to watch, which hasn’t been guaranteed in quite some time.
Modern Barbershop 