You’ve probably noticed by now. It’s the day before the divisional round and the Chicago Bears are about to host another playoff game following their first victory in 15 years. You’d think the city and media would be electric. Instead, it’s felt more subdued. How is that possible? Well, it’s probably because the Bears just got done slaying a demon that has tormented them for 30 years. Taking down the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round, and doing it with a comeback for the ages, was easily the most cathartic and emotional moment in modern Bears history.
So many demons of the past, like Rodgers to Cobb and the 2010 NFC championship, could finally be put to rest because of that moment. However, it does present a major issue. Can the Bears summon enough energy and focus to keep playing high-quality football? The run isn’t over. They have a great Los Angeles Rams team coming to town with Super Bowl aspirations. Beating them will take a full 60-minute effort. It’s fair to wonder if the Bears have anything left after last Saturday.
History says emotional wins over rivals come at a price in the playoffs.
1980: Philadelphia Eagles finally slay the Dallas Cowboys in NFC championship
- Get stomped by Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl 27-10
1985: New England Patriots conquer the mighty Miami Dolphins in AFC championship
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- Bears crush them in the Super Bowl 46-10
1993: Raiders finally vanquish Josh Elway and the Broncos in wild card round
- Fall 29-23 in Buffalo the next week
2010: New York Jets stun the Patriots in the divisional round
- Fall painfully short 23-19 in Pittsburgh
2014: Baltimore Ravens finally put down Steelers in wild card round after years of losses.
- Fall the next week in painful second half collapse to the Patriots
The Chicago Bears aren’t strangers to this phenomenon.
They had lost twice to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994. So most people expected the same result in the wild card round when the two teams met again. The Bears shocked everybody with a 35-18 upset, sending the Vikings home in humiliating fashion. Unfortunately, they were stomped 44-15 the next week by San Francisco. Now this Bears team is considerably better than that one. They have a better quarterback, better head coach, better offensive personnel, and way more experience on defense. They will also be playing at home.
One would think that gives them a good chance to avoid the trap, right? Maybe. Everything comes down to how well head coach Ben Johnson prepares them. Players have said this week that he has been on them about moving on from the Packers. As great as the win was, it’s over. They must prepare for the Rams. This is a sign that Johnson understands the danger. Whether his warnings will be enough to overcome the hangover will be revealed by how the Chicago Bears perform Sunday night.
