The Chicago Bears Super Bowl odds aren’t really on the minds of many people right now. It’s not a huge surprise. This team hasn’t even made the playoffs since 2010. Why should anybody consider them favorites or even dark horses to win a championship? Something they haven’t done since 1985. These things are a step-by-step process. One must learn to walk before he runs.
Why? Since when was that the rule? There have been circumstances where teams came out of nowhere to win a championship before. The St. Louis Rams won it in 1999 after not making the playoffs the previous nine seasons. San Francisco won their first in 1981 despite not reaching the postseason the past eight seasons. This feat is hardly unprecedented.
So again. Why are the Bears any different? This team looks the part of one that can be dangerous in the playoffs and there’s an added stat they’ve been dominating that even furthers their chances.
The 2018 Bears are on pace for 29 interceptions this season. There are only two other teams in the entire league in the last five seasons to even reach 24 picks, and both of them went to the Super Bowl (Seahawks '13, Panthers '15).
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 27, 2018
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Chicago Bears Super Bowl odds are fueled by their gaudy INT numbers
Since 2000, there have been a total of 23 teams that have posted 25 or more interceptions on defense during a season. The results from which offer an interesting idea of what could be ahead of the Bears.
- Seahawks had 28 in 2013 – Won Super Bowl
- Packers had 31 in 2011 – Lost in divisional round (after going 15-1)
- Patriots had 25 in 2010 – Lost in divisional round
- Packers had 30 in 2009 – Lost in divisional round
- Bills had 28 in 2009 – Missed playoffs
- Saints had 26 in 2009 – Won Super Bowl
- Eagles had 25 in 2009 – Lost in wild card round
- Ravens had 26 in 2008 – Lost in AFC championship
- Chargers had 30 in 2007 – Lost in AFC championship
- Ravens had 28 in 2006 – Lost in divisional round
- Bengals had 31 in 2005 – Lost in divisional round
- Panthers had 26 in 2004 – Missed playoffs
- Patriots had 29 in 2003 – Won Super Bowl
- Vikings had 28 in 2003 – Missed playoffs
- Chiefs had 25 in 2003 – Lost in wild card round
- Buccaneers had 31 in 2002 – Won Super Bowl
- Ravens had 25 in 2002 – Missed playoffs
- Browns had 33 in 2001 – Missed playoffs
- Buccaneers had 28 in 2001 – Lost in wild card round
- Dolphins had 28 in 2000 – Lost in divisional round
- Broncos had 27 in 2000 – Lost in wild card round
- Buccaneers had 25 in 2000 – Lost in wild card round
- Lions had 25 in 2000 – Missed playoffs
Here’s what is so encouraging about the list. Of the 23 teams involved, only six ended up missing the playoffs despite their gaudy INT numbers. The remaining 17 made it to some level of the postseason. Where it gets really fun is the fact that four of those teams ended up winning the Super Bowl. What’s even more exciting? The two most recent teams got it done by being top 10 teams in scoring.
The Bears are currently fifth in that department. Suffice to say this team is more than equipped to play the style of football that has won championships in the past. Take the ball away and score. Rinse and repeat. This doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s the latest surefire sign that Chicago’s Super Bowl aspirations begin in 2018. Not 2019 or 2020 as some have predicted.
It’s now. What a feeling.
