Chicago Bears went from disaster to brink of the playoffs
The Chicago Bears have rebounded from an abysmal stretch to enter the NFC playoff field.
There was a time this season when the Chicago Bears were in the midst of a six-game losing streak and calls for the firing of employees reigned supreme. Fast forward to Week 16 and with a little help from Jeff Wilson Jr. and the San Francisco 49ers, the Windy City is now in the seventh seed with a 41-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s right, the Chicago Bears currently occupy the final spot of the NFC Playoffs. However, that’s not an immediate cause for celebration.
The score is one that is sure to please the fans, yet offensively, there are plenty of areas that require fixing. Mitchell Trubisky performed well.
But against a team like Jacksonville who, by virtue of the Jets victory over the Browns, clinched the No. 1 overall pick, this game is not a proper measure of whether or not this team is truly ready to compete should they reach the postseason next week. Instead of his passing, it was his running that helped his game.
Defensively, Chicago showed up, particularly Roquan Smith. While they forced two turnovers from their quarterback Mike Glennon, it was their pressure and the ability to get after the run. Though the Jaguars gained 76 total yards rushing, the pride of the defense showed, albeit against a team that is looking towards the future.
The Chicago Bears won but their destiny is in their hands from here on out.
There’s no time to celebrate, given what’s at stake and who is up next on the schedule, the pressure gets real. The Green Bay Packers are coming to town and they currently reign atop the NFC. Furthermore, while the defense has gained some confidence, the offense needs a sharper look.
Green Bay is not Jacksonville. The most obvious reason is who plays the quarterback position. The Jaguars trotted out Mike Glennon. The Packers? Only a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers. That alone should be concerning for Chicago given how Rodgers has had his way with the Bears for a majority of his career.
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The Bears made the NFC playoff field — but only for now. There’s only one week left and the Arizona Cardinals are right on their heels. One move can potentially wreck the season and alter employment status for the Bears front office. Chicago has earned the right to smile on the way home, but come Monday, there must be an intense level of focus if they wish to get into the field.