The Chicago Bears are in the playoffs. One of the first-ever 7th seeds in league history. Something the NFL instituted this very season. It seems rather fitting they’re one of the first holders of it. A mediocre team holding the worst possible playoff spot. Almost like the league threw them a bone. Now though is when teams start getting serious. It’s all about the Super Bowl.
When it comes to the Bears? Not a single person even has them in the same zip code of the big game down in Tampa. It’s the heavy hitters like Green Bay, Kansas City, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh who are getting all the attention. Hardly a surprise when Chicago limped into the playoffs at 8-8 with an erratic quarterback and ailing defense. Their reward will be a trip down to New Orleans against the high-powered Saints who already beat them earlier this season.
Initial estimates are they will beat the Bears by two touchdowns.
So yeah. Not a lot of optimism regarding their chances. That begs the question. What exactly are their Super Bowl odds. Ethan Douglas of The Athletic happened to do the calculations. Based on his formula, the most likely teams to reach the big game are the Chiefs and Packers. No surprise there since they have the two best quarterbacks in the league.
The Saints are 3rd at 27.3%. Chicago? They have the lowest of any team in the entire field at a whopping .8%. Not even the Washington Football Team, who finished 7-9 have a worse mark than that. They’re sitting at a hefty 1.1%. That is how little confidence people have in the Bears. A clear indication they view the team as nothing more than an occupier of a playoff spot.
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Chicago Bears have a chance to shock the world
There is no question they would be the least likely team in NFL history to ever reach a Super Bowl. That title is currently held by the 2008 Arizona Cardinals. They limped into the playoffs at 9-7, losing four of their final six games. Then they went on a magical run to reach the Super Bowl where they came minutes away from stunning the favored Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, that team had a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Kurt Warner.
The Chicago Bears have Mitch Trubisky. So yeah, optimism is hard to come by when the quarterback might be one of your weakest links. Is there any hope? Well, the Bears don’t lack for talent in other areas. Allen Robinson is a stud at wide receiver and was unstoppable in his last playoff appearance. David Montgomery has become the engine of the offense on the ground and is playing his best football this past month.
The defense? They’ve struggled lately but still have veteran playmakers.
If these guys really step up, it’s possible the Bears could find a groove. The problem is they’ll like have to run a gauntlet of elite quarterbacks to reach that promised land. It starts with Drew Brees on Sunday. If they somehow clear that hurdle, Aaron Rodgers will be waiting in the next round. The same guy who’s blown them out twice this year. If they somehow pull off that miracle? Odds are good Tom Brady or Russell Wilson will be waiting in the conference title game.
So yeah, it’s pretty easy to understand why people aren’t giving them a shot.