The Chicago Bears needed some help if they were going to make a push for the playoffs down the stretch. In a rare turn of events, they actually got it. Needing a loss from Arizona to open the door, the San Francisco 49ers handed their division rival a backbreaking 20-12 loss. This means the Bears just have to win their final two games and they’re in. One person they should thank profusely is George Kittle.
The All-Pro tight end finally returned from injury this week and just in time. He led the 49ers with 92 yards on four catches, giving the Cardinals defense all sorts of problems. This opened up the San Francisco ground attack which churned out over 200 yards. Couple that with a great outing from their undermanned defense and Chicago should be grateful for what that team just did.
For his part Kittle is thrilled.
Not just with the win itself either. Though a native of Madison, Wisconsin it turns out the star tight end grew up a huge Bears fan. He said as much during his postgame press conference. Beating the Cardinals itself was great. Doing so with the full knowledge it enabled his childhood team to get a real shot at the postseason was even better.
He was so enthusiastic that he may have let it override his senses. After finishing things up and praising the Bears, he started to leave the press room. It was here the microphones caught Kittle declaring quite audibly, “I f**king love the Bears.”
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George Kittle can now see if his old team can finish the job
The 49ers opened the door, but it’s still up to the Bears to walk through it. Here is how things shake out. If Arizona wins next week in their finale, they finish 9-7. Chicago needs to win its final two games to finish 9-7. If they succeed, they hold the tiebreakers with the Cardinals in regards to success against common opponents. That means beating the 1-13 Jaguars tomorrow in Jacksonville and finding a way past the Green Bay Packers in the finale at Soldier Field.
Arizona could even make it easier. If they lose next week to the Los Angeles Rams and fall to 8-8? The Bears would only need to beat Jacksonville or Green Bay and would still get in. Considering this team lost six-straight games barely a few weeks ago? It’s incredible to think they’re even in this position. Yet that is how the NFL works sometimes. All the Bears can do is not waste their opportunity. If only George Kittle could help them on the field.
Jokes aside, the viewing for Bears fans should be fun.
Tomorrow it will of course be the game in Jacksonville. Then you’ll want to watch Sunday Night Football between the Packers and Tennessee Titans. If Green Bay wins, they will lock up the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs. This could mean they end up resting their starters in the season finale. They won’t have anything to play for. Would they risk key players getting hurt just to try keeping Chicago out of the playoffs? Maybe, but not likely.