Last Monday night, the Green Bay Packers entered what everybody thought was an easily winnable game against the floundering New York Giants. Then, a series of bad mistakes and a strong performance by backup QB Tommy DeVito led to a stunning 24-22 upset. Suddenly, the Chicago Bears’ long-thought-dead playoff hopes found new life. If they could win their final four games and get some help from other teams, there was a legitimate chance they could sneak into the wild card round.
One of the most essential games for that to happen involved the Minnesota Vikings going to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. Sadly, it looked like the Bears’ fortunes weren’t there this time. With 3:48 left in the game, the Vikings scored a touchdown to go ahead 24-17. All their defense, which had been great all day, needed was one more stop to put the game away. Then things got crazy. Bengals backup QB Jake Browning led a 10-play, 75-yard drive for a touchdown, capped by an insane catch from wide receiver Tee Higgins.
This forced overtime. Minnesota was driving toward field goal range after a Cincinnati punt to open the extra frame. On 3rd and 1 at the Bengals 42, they ran a tush push QB sneak. It got stuffed. Rather than risk a long field goal or punt, they went for it on 4th and 1. Again, they ran the tush push, and the Bengals stuffed it again. Browning hit Tyler Boyd for 44 yards three plays later, setting up the game-winning field goal.
The Chicago Bears’ luck has been remarkable.
One division rival losing to a backup quarterback is fortuitous. Two of them doing so in the space of six days? That is unheard of. Minnesota drops to 7-7. If that weren’t bad enough, their next three games are against the Packers and Detroit Lions. There is a real possibility they might not win again. That loss in Cincinnati was devastating. However, it would be welcome if they happened to upset Green Bay on New Year’s Eve. The Packers are one of three teams the Bears have to worry about down the stretch.
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The others are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat them earlier this year and are 6-7, and the Los Angeles Rams. L.A. has a manageable schedule the rest of the way and is also 6-7. If they win out, the Chicago Bears are screwed. Plenty of good fortune is still needed to make the impossible happen. Either way, none of this matters if the Bears don’t win their remaining games. The only feasible way they give themselves a shot is by finishing 9-8. That being said, it’s nice to see they’re playing some meaningful football this late in the season.
