The Chicago Bears playoff conversation is a hot topic these days. Just recently former running back DeAngelo Williams simply stated the team won’t make it because they are who they are. “They’re the Chicago Bears.” In other words, because they haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 they have virtually no shot in 2018. See that argument might be valid if the Rams and Bills hadn’t broken even longer streaks just last year.
Using the past to justify a stance in the present is often unwise, especially in sports. It’s better to do a thorough evaluation of the known facts and then make a judgment call. There are plenty of reasons to feel Chicago can break through this year:
- They have a top 10 defense
- Their backfield is stacked with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen
- Matt Nagy has arrived to put Mitch Trubisky in a modern offense
- The receiving corps was massively upgraded
However, there may be one other reason that people aren’t giving enough credence. One that may not seem possible to the logical brain, but has been proven true almost every year in the NFL. That is the overestimation.
NFL.com columnist Adam Rank gave a perfect explanation during his rundown to why the Bears will make the postseason this year.
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A Vikings downturn would massively help Chicago Bears playoff run
Rank isn’t wrong. Like teams that go from worst to first every year, it’s definitely possible for good teams to underachieve for any number of reasons. On paper, the Vikings of course look like a powerhouse. One that’s ready to go win a Super Bowl. Yet not all may be as it seems. Kirk Cousins and new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo have never worked together. This is also assuming the defense finishes top 5 like last year. Hardly a lock.
The example he used was an apt one. In 2000 the Baltimore Ravens rode a historic defense and power running game to a championship. Trent Dilfer, while hardly a star, seemed to get that team to respond to him. He made some big plays when they needed them including a huge touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. The next offseason he was inexplicably let go.
In his place, they added Elvis Grbac. The veteran had just made the Pro Bowl that same season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. It looked like a slam dunk Baltimore would repeat. Instead, they finished 10-6 and were knocked out in the divisional round. Grbac barely topped 3,000 yards passing with 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Spoiler alert: this Vikings team is not as good as that Ravens team was. This should provide a welcome reminder that there is no reason to fear them. Last season proved they were mortal. The Bears are inheriting the offense that humiliated them in the NFC championship.
This can be done.
