The McCaskey’s decided to clean house last week again after their Chicago Bears missed the playoffs for the 4th straight year. Ex-Bears GM Phil Emery brought in Marc Trestman 2 years ago to close the gap between the Packers and the Bears. That decision had the reverse effect, by widening the talent gap and costing Emery/Trestman their jobs.
For a synopsis of a possible reboot plan for the Bears, check out Ryan Horvat’s article by clicking here.
The Bears had the opportunity to play against 4 of the 6 teams that made the playoffs for the NFC this year during the regular season… they went 0 – 6.
The Bears are now in a rebuilding mode, but how would this Bears squad fair against this year’s NFC playoff teams?
Bears vs Panthers: The Panthers are a sub .500 playoff team that the Bears would have a shot of beating if they met this year in the playoffs. Even though the Panthers are on a 4 game winning streak and beat the Bears in their week 5 matchup, they would be able to contend with the Panthers. Even with Carolina getting healthy and with Luke Kuechly and co. are returning to form, the Bears should have been able to beat the Panthers if they met in the playoffs.
Bears vs Cardinals: The Cardinals are the surprise team of 2014, as they were able to replace the 49ers in the playoff picture in the NFC. The Bears would not have been able to play with this team if Carson Palmer was healthy but with Drew Stanton/Ryan Lindley throwing the rock, the Bears could have competed. Although, a Patrick Peterson pick-6 or a Calais Campbell sack fumble of Jay Cutler could throw this Bears team into a downward spiral, the Cardinals are the only other team the Bears “could” beat if they met them in the playoffs.
Bears vs Cowboys: The 2012 Cowboys are the Bears of today, an underachieving franchise with no identity. The 2014 Cowboys decided to assemble one of the best o-lines in the NFL and hand the ball off to DeMarco Murray 25+ times a game to relieve pressure on Tony Romo. Dallas was another team the humiliated the Bears on primetime and I see no reason why they wouldn’t do it again… The Cowboys have the blueprint for the Bears to follow but is it too late to turn this circus around?
Bears vs Lions: The Lions are the Bears but have a way better defense… and can run the ball. The Lions start a questionable QB who makes dumb throws but gets bailed out by the best WR in the game, Calvin Johnson. The Lions are still the Lions and I expect them to reveal themselves this weekend against the Cowboys, but they have the Bears number in 2014 and would make easy work of them if they were to meet again. Not only do the Bears have to worry about the Packers, the Lions have leapfrogged the Bears to become the 2nd best team in the NFC North.
Bears vs Packers: When you have the best QB in the game and he rarely turns the ball over, it makes football easy. The Packers were laughing at the end of their last matchup with the Bears and I would expect the laughs to get louder, if they were to meet in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears and Jay Cutler, even with a sore calf, Rodgers would put up 5 TDs. It is disheartening for Bears fans to watch their neighbors to the north have so much success, but what do they expect when their ‘Beloved’ draft and sign the wrong players?
Bears vs Seahawks: This game would be a massacre. The Seahawks are better at every phase of life… the Bears would have their teeth kicked in and lunch money stolen before Jay Cutlers sideline demeanor was questioned by the broadcasters. I personally thank my luck stars this game never happened.
Best case scenario, the Bears could have contented with 2 out of the 6 playoff teams but the reality is they are exactly where they are supposed to be… at home.
@WesEvans24