Heading into the season, I predicted the Chicago Bears to finish 8-8, third in the division, and miss out on the playoffs. While I was correct in predicting their regular-season record (which was the same as last year's), the team took advantage of the newly expanded playoff format and squeezed their way into the final Wild Card spot thanks to an Arizona Cardinals loss.
Somehow, the Bears have made the playoffs, and they will now square off against the New Orleans Saints. It will be their second appearance in three seasons, but unlike their epic, division-winning season in 2018, this year had a much different feel to it.
Most people will debate the Bears' credibility as a playoff team. I am amongst those people and voiced my opinion plenty on that, especially when considering their recent loss to the Green Bay Packers. Within this article, I will discuss that loss against our biggest rivals and preview our playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.
If you haven't already, please feel free to check out my introduction article, I had a blast putting it together. You will get to know more about me, my background, and my plans for this website here:
My Early Week Prediction For Game: Packers Win 26-24
Actual Score: Packers Win 35-16
Exposed...Again
I hope you were able to enjoy the Bears' three-game win streak while you could. Not only did we see the Bears appear to resurrect their season, but they did so by having the most surprising yet successful span of offensive performance. Of course, that all came against bottom-tier defenses throughout the league, allowing the Bears to shine bright against weak competition.
However, as many expected, the winning performance came to a halt when the top-seeded Packers strolled into town. The Bears needed to prove that they could play successfully against the big boys of the league and failed to do so this past week. The Packers' defense came in as top ten overall unit and truly put the Bears in their place, as they only allowed one offensive touchdown (a 2-yard run by Running Back David Montgomery) on the Bears' first drive of the game. Montgomery was fed like a genuine workhorse and had 63 receiving yards, but the Packers were able to end his hot-streak on the ground and limit him to 69 rushing yards on 22 carries. Wide Receiver Allen Robinson was shut down by arguably the league's best Cornerback this season, Jaire Alexander, as he had only two catches off five targets for 37 yards. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was severely limited to only throwing short passes and hardly took any shots downfield. Having a disastrous six yards per completion on 42 attempts will not help put up many points on the board.
Darnell Mooney Making A Spectacular Grab Off Of A Trubisky Bomb Last Week
(Credit: Chicago Sun-Times)
A bright spot though was rookie Wide Receiver Darnell Mooney. For almost the season's entirety, I thought that Bears fans were going too far with their assessment of Mooney and getting carried away with him. He had a couple of splash plays and frequently displayed his excellent speed, but he needed to show more. However, Mooney has steadily increased my confidence week-by-week, and that confidence skyrocketed for me last week. Mooney caught 11 passes for 93 yards before eventually leaving the game with an ankle injury. Before that, he was on a roll and proved that both Trubisky and the Bears coaching staff have a substantial amount of trust in the rookie. One such play included a 60-yard snag over Packers Safety Darnell Savage. General Manager Ryan Pace has had many disastrous early-round draft picks but is known to have found several key players in the later rounds, and Mooney certainly appears to be one of the newcomers on that list.
Pagano Can Be Shown The Door
It should not come as a shock that the Bears' offense has faltered and lost their steam, as they are still a unit with several weaknesses. However, it is truly a tragic sight to witness our defense losing its edge and slipping away beyond our very eyes. Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano has been on this ice recently and is a man that is highly blamed for his unit's downfall.
There were already growing concerns about the Bears' defense in recent weeks, but those worries only grew against the mighty Packers' offense. While the defense did keep the game close until the end, it was a rough effort to watch. Sure, it does not help that we had two of our three starting Cornerbacks out and our best defensive player of the season, Linebacker Roquan Smith, left with an early injury. Still, there were many inexcusable moments, even considering the absence of those players.
First and foremost, there was an extreme lack of pressure from the front seven, or at least they were not able to finish against the ever-so-evasive Quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Linebacker Khalil Mack was the only one to register a sack as there was hardly any pressure in Rodgers' way in the first place. Overall, there were several missed opportunities, some that included several dropped interceptions against Rodgers', particularly from Safety Eddie Jackson. I am still a fan of Jackson, he is a great player and remains a fixture of the defense, but we must admit that he has been a disappointment this season. This is specifically true in the turnover department, as he has three forced fumbles but a whopping zero interceptions.
Eddie Jackson And Chuck Pagano Embracing Each Other On The Sidelines
(Credit: Chicago Sun-Times)
But, arguably the most embarrassing moment of the night came in the middle of the second quarter when Packers Wide Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling torched our defense for a 72-yard score. Quick question: Who in their right mind lets a Linebacker (in this case, Danny Trevethan) cover the league leader in yards per catch without any Safety help? It appears that Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano does, as that idea resulted in a humiliating outcome. It might have been miscommunication amongst the players, but I am not buying that until proven otherwise.
I get it, bad plays or miscommunication will happen, but there is no excuse for an instance like that, let alone creating a formation such as that at the time. We know how much talent is on our defense; we may not be the top-tier, explosive unit that we were in 2018, but we still have the capabilities to be one of the best defenses in the league. Sadly, that seems like a distant memory that is no longer reachable. I hate to be no longer a fan of a guy like Pagano, who has a decent track record and seems like a phenomenal human being, but I am now in favor of showing him the door at season's end.
State Of The Opponent: New Orleans Saints
For all of the obstacles that have faced the Saints this season, the fact that they finished the regular season at 12-4 is utterly impressive and shows how complete and well-coached of a team they are.
During the regular season, the team lost Quarterback/head honcho Drew Brees for four weeks due to several broken ribs. They went 3-1 under the helm of Swiss Army Knife Quarterback Taysom Hill during that stretch. The largest obstacle they had to overcome was losing Wide Receiver/reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Michael Thomas to several injuries and a suspension throughout the year.
Thomas unquestionably had one of the weirdest seasons I have ever seen from a player of his stature. Again, in 2019, he was the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, and 2020 saw him miss nine games and has yet to find the end zone. However, despite the weirdness of Thomas' season, the Saints' offense did not crumble and still finished the year as a (statistically) top-12 offense. Of course, having a monster of a Running Back in Alvin Kamara will help keep the offense afloat, but having a target like Thomas not on the field for the majority of the season is by far a difficult obstacle to overcome; yet the Saints were able to find a way.
Kamara is currently on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list, but is expected to be back in uniform this week (as he said so himself, via Twitter). Thomas was also overcoming a lingering ankle injury, but is expected to be back and suit up this week, as well.
Saints Defense>Offense
We all know how lethal the Saints offense has been in recent memory; there is no sugar-coating that fact. But this year saw the Saints defense finally enter the elite category and become one of the league's best defenses. They finished the year in the top five in both yards and points allowed thanks to having one of the most complete defenses in the league.
Looking around the Saints defense, it is unreal how complete they are. You look at the secondary led by Cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Safety Malcolm Jenkins, who has made a considerable impact in his first season back with his former team. Linebacker Demario Davis led the team in tackles yet again this year, while the unit sports one of the most dominant defensive lines in the league. Defensive End Cameron Jordan still leads the entire unit and Defensive Tackle Sheldon Rankins remains a crucial piece in that line. But what has captured the most attention this year from that defense has been Defensive End Trey Hendrickson, as he is enjoying a monstrous breakout year. One in which he has tied Rams Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald for the second-most sacks in the league with 12.5.
Unfortunately for them, they will be without Hendrickson this Sunday because of a neck injury. But the Saints' defense is far too skilled and well-rounded and should be able to absorb such a loss. Regardless, the Bears will look to face an intimidating defense yet again.
Drew's Final Ride?
For the past few years, we have been wondering exactly when Drew Brees would possibly retire. Playing at age 41, the veteran is still pushing through, but it appears that the end is finally here. Rumblings have started recently that this is indeed Brees' final season in the league, as there is speculation that he has a contract lined with NBC Sports after his playing career is over.
Drew Brees Walking Off The Field With A Smile On His Face (Credit: Canal Street Chronicles)
Brees has been my favorite Quarterback in the league for as long as I can remember. At his best, I believe he is the most pinpoint accurate passer in the league's history. He is a role model on and off the field and defied the odds of delivering the Big Easy their first Super Bowl title back in 2009. He is a man that I, and many others, will miss, but his journey is not over yet.
Brees and the Saints enter the 2020 playoffs as the fourth-highest Super Bowl favorites (according to OddsShark). He might not have played like the Drew Brees we all know and love, but they are 12-4 despite that and the loss of his top target. Head Coach Sean Payton has been an absolute mastermind, per usual, and enters the playoffs with as much confidence as ever.
Of course, the road to the playoffs will not be easy, especially if it runs through Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers. Of course, as we know, the Saints have had some gut-wrenching moments and awful luck within their past three playoff appearances, so that notion will hang over them throughout their playoff journey. But they are still a legit contender for the coveted Lombardi Trophy, and it will all start against an 8-8 team that barely made the playoffs in the first place. Speaking of that team…
State Of The Bears
Hey! We Made The Playoffs! But whoever thought we would enter the big dance in such a depressing fashion?
If you told me that we would make the playoff entering this season, I would have been honest and imagined a potential record around 10-6 and a deserving Wild Card spot. It certainly seemed like that could be the case within the first few games, but we know what happened next.
Instead, the Bears get in thanks to an Arizona Cardinals loss to the Los Angeles Rams. But before that, we were blown out and exposed as frauds yet again by our biggest rival. With that in mind, it was genuinely upsetting losing to Green Bay like that, and I did not have many feelings of joy in finding out we made the playoffs. Besides not having our season end just yet and receiving an extra week of Bears football, I did not feel anything. I will not pretend that this team deserved to make the playoffs, and many will agree with me.
It is mind-blowing to even wrap my head around the idea that we are currently where we are and ready to face a team such as the Saints this week. Yet again, we are not the worst team to enter the playoffs, as that honor belongs to the Washington Football Team, as they made it by winning the utterly embarrassing division that is the NFC East. Winning that division is like me winning a 40-yard dash, and if you do not know, I am slow as shit.
Trubisky & His Teammates Walking Off The Field After Last Week's Loss To The Packers
(Credit: Athlon Sports)
However, I will admit that one thing is true: the playoffs are a new season. In all sports, we have seen plenty of the unexpected throughout each type of playoffs. Just last year, the NFL world saw the sixth seed Tennessee Titans end the Tom Brady-Patriots era and upset the league's top team in the Baltimore Ravens. So, as undeserving as the Bears were to make the playoffs. Anything is possible, and an upset of the Saints is not 100% out of the equation. After all, the Bears did take the Saints into overtime in Week 8 before losing to a Wil Lutz field goal.
Injuries Coming At The Worst Time
Remember when I mentioned that Darnell Mooney and Roquan Smith left last week's game with injuries? Yeah, it is not looking so good for them and the team this week, as neither has practiced all week.
The Bears have not yet ruled them out as I type this, which provides some hope. But barring some miracle, I do not expect them to play. Cornerbacks Buster Skrine and Jaylon Johnson have missed time recently, as Skrine has already been declared out, but Johnson has practiced on a limited basis.
The outlook of those players above is not looking good. Specifically, losing Mooney, a rising rookie and one of the few bright spots of the offense, and Smith, unquestionably our best defensive player and an All-Pro snub, hurts tremendously. The offense got exposed even with Mooney playing well, and the defense has fallen hard even with Smith playing lights out this year. Without both of them, that paints an even more horrific picture for the Bears this week. No backup at either position has my confidence to step up, especially on Smith's side. So I wish the Bears luck in finding a way to help aid the probable loss of those two players this week.
My Pick: Saints Win
Final Score: Saints 31 - Bears 18
Even though the Bears did take the Saints into overtime earlier this year, I am hard-pressed to believe that could come close to happen again. Even if the Bears have Trubisky this time around instead of fellow Quarterback Nick Foles, I have very little confidence in either one overcoming the Saints stout defense.
In their previous matchup, the Bears defense was actually impressive and made a variety of clutch plays, especially in the 4th quarter. But, as I mentioned plenty, they faltered significantly since then and will now (likely) face a Saints team with (unlike then) Michael Thomas out on the field.
The Bears should be thankful that the NFL expanded the playoff format in the offseason and were able to barely make their way into the final wild-card spot. When I say "the Bears" there, I specifically talk about Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy, and Mitch Trubisky. Another week of football means they were all bought more time to keep their jobs and prove that they should remain in the Windy City. How ownership will handle their fates will be something that fans will be aching to see, as it is still a great mystery surrounding the team.
The Bears and playoff appearances do not get along; having them here again is certainly a plus. Who knows when they will ever be able to make it? The only problem is that they were a team that did not deserve to make the playoffs, and it is a shock that they were able to survive and be at this point in the first place. I will not forget the horrendous, embarrassing six-game losing streak after starting the year 5-1, ans neither should you.
At this point, my rants do not matter as much; they are here and ready to upset the Saints. If there is any way they can pull that off, it will be one of the most significant/shocking moments in team history. But I sadly do not see that scenario playing out. My expectations are low, and I believe this wacky season will finally come to an end in the Superdome this week, all live on Nickelodeon.
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Thank You and Bear Down!