Tag: Bears postseason

ESPN is already counting out the Chicago Bears in 2021

It’s fair to say there’s not much confidence in the Chicago Bears heading into the 2021 season.

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It’s fair to say there’s not much confidence in the Chicago Bears heading into the 2021 season. That following a lack of change in the front office where general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy were retained for at least another year. And it feels like 2021 will be a repeat of 2020.

Minus the postseason, so says ESPN.

While there are still four teams contending for the Super Bowl, ESPN is looking ahead to the 2021 and the teams that will compose the expanded 14-team playoff field. And they’re already counting out the Bears in 2021.

Here’s what ESPN had to say about their lack of faith in Chicago returning to the postseason.

The Chicago Bears barely sneaked into the playoffs at 8-8, and while they’ve decided to bring back coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace for another season, they’re nearly $10 million over the projected cap and have only Nick Foles at quarterback. The return of those executives makes it more likely that the Bears will run things back with Foles and Mitchell Trubisky (a free agent), which doesn’t seem appealing to me. The Bears may also lose star wide receiver Allen Robinson, which will make this offense even more unwatchable. I’m skeptical that the Bears make it back.

ESPN’s lack of confidence is certainly fair. After all, the Bears were the recipients of a lucky postseason berth with the extra seventh seed and two losses by the Arizona Cardinals.

It doesn’t help that some of the same concerns will remain in 2021, including the execution of the offense, inconsistent quarterback play and projected salary cap struggles.

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Bears will likely face Saints RB Alvin Kamara, WR Michael Thomas in wild-card game

It sounds like the Saints will have their two biggest weapons at their disposal for QB Drew Brees when they face the Bears in the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears have had their share of luck when it comes to facing some of the league’s biggest playmakers, as they’ve avoided some due to injury.

Now, that luck is turning against the Bears.

Chicago will face the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs, and it sounds like the Saints will have their two biggest weapons at their disposal for quarterback Drew Brees.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it sounds like both running back Alvin Kamara and receiver Michael Thomas will be back after missing the regular-season finale.

Kamara tested positive for COVID-19, and he missed last Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Given the timing of the Bears-Saints game — Sunday, Jan. 10 at 3:40 p.m. CT — that means Kamara has a chance to play, if he’s cleared off the COVID-19 reserve list.

As for Thomas, he’s been on injured reserve for the last three weeks with an ankle injury. His return should provide a boost for the Saints, who beat the Bears 26-23 in overtime back in Week 8 without Thomas at their disposal.

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Twitter reacts to the Bears clinching a playoff spot after loss to Packers

Twitter had plenty to say about the Bears’ return to the playoffs after their poor performance against the Packers in Week 17.

The Chicago Bears are returning to the postseason for the second time in three seasons since Matt Nagy took over as head coach. While the Bears were in control of their playoff destiny — win in Week 17 and they’re in — they needed a little help along the way.

While Chicago would make the playoffs with a win over the Green Bay Packers, they could also get in with an Arizona Cardinals loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Ultimately, Chicago lost 35-16 to the Packers, but the Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7, which helped stamp the Bears’ ticket to the postseason.

Twitter had plenty to say about Chicago’s return to the playoffs — and after their poor performance against Green Bay, there’s a mixture of surprising optimism, pessimism and realism heading into a wild-card match-up against the No. 2 seed New Orleans Saints.

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Bears wild-card playoff schedule: Chicago will face Saints 3:40 p.m. CT Sunday

No. 7 Chicago face travel to New Orleans to face the No. 2 Saints in the wild-card round in what will be a rematch of their Week 8 contest.

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The Chicago Bears have made it back to the postseason for the second time in three years. While it certainly wasn’t pretty along the way, the Bears get to keep playing football in January.

No. 7 Chicago face travel to New Orleans to face the No. 2 Saints in the wild-card round in what will be a rematch of a Week 8 contest, where New Orleans prevailed 26-23.

The Bears and Saints will play on Sunday at 3:40 p.m. CT on CBS. The game will also air on Nickelodeon, which means there’s a chance to see Matt Nagy and co. get slimed during the game — well, not literally.

Here’s a look at the full schedule for wild-card weekend:

Saturday

  • Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills – 12:05 p.m. CT (CBS)
  • Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks – 3:40 p.m. CT (FOX)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants/Washington – 8:15 p.m. CT (NBC)

Sunday

  • Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans – 12:05 p.m. CT (ESPN)
  • Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints – 3:40 p.m. CT (CBS)
  • Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 7:15 p.m. (NBC)

If the Bears were to beat the Saints on Sunday, then they’d once again face the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, and we all know how those two regular-season match-ups went.

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Here’s how the Bears can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17

It’s hard to believe that the Bears are in a position to punch their ticket to the postseason. But if they win in Week 17, they’re in.

It’s hard to believe that the Chicago Bears are in a position to punch their ticket to the postseason. After all, not many teams can lose six straight games and live to tell the tale.

But here we are in the final week of the regular season with the Bears currently holding the No. 7 and final seed in the NFC with a chance to return to the postseason for the first time since 2018.

Even better, Chicago is in firm control of their playoff destiny, which is exactly how they should want it. If the Bears beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, then Chicago is in. If the Arizona Cardinals lose to the Los Angeles Rams, the Bears are in regardless. But it’s not wise to bank on what other teams are doing — Chicago needs to take care of business against a rival that has long had their number.

If the Bears can beat the Packers, there’s a chance they could be as high as the No. 6 seed if all goes right. But there’s also a chance that Chicago could wind up playing Green Bay in the first-round of the wild card playoffs if all goes wrong.

Should the Bears make the postseason — with a win or a Cardinals loss — they could wind up facing the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks or Packers in the first round. But that of course depends on what happens on Sunday with three other games.

But it’s simple — if the Bears win, they’re in. And that’s pretty remarkable considering where this team was just four weeks ago.

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Week 17 Picks: Who are the experts taking in Bears vs. Packers?

The experts don’t have a lot of confidence in Chicago as 93% of experts are picking the Packers to beat the Bears in Week 17.

The Chicago Bears are looking to stamp their ticket to the playoffs with a victory over the Green Bay Packers in the final week of the regular season.

While the Bears can still get into the playoffs without a win — if the Arizona Cardinals lose to the Los Angeles Rams — it would certainly be sweeter to get to the postseason by beating the Packers.

Chicago is coming off a 41-17 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the Bears offense put up 30 points for the fourth straight game. Chicago’s offense has been rolling over the last five weeks, and they’re going to need another strong performance if they’re going to have a shot at beating Green Bay.

Despite the Bears’ impressive offense and three-game win streak, there’s still not a lot of confidence in Chicago heading into this game as 93% of experts are picking the Bears to lose to the Packers on Sunday, according to NFL Pick Watch.

It’s not exactly a surprise that so many are picking Green Bay to beat Chicago, especially given the Packers’ dominance in this rivalry over the last couple of decades. Since 1992, Green Bay is 43-15 against Chicago, including 20-4 since 2009.

Can the Bears stun the football world with a win over the Packers? Or will Green Bay continue its dominance over Chicago?

We’ll see Sunday when the Bears and Packers kick things off at 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.

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Bears playoff push: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray says he’ll play Sunday vs. Rams

The Bears can get in the playoffs with a Cardinals loss. And Cardinals QB Kyler Murray insists he’ll play vs. Rams on Sunday.

The Chicago Bears are just one win away from securing a playoff berth in the NFC. They’ll face a Green Bay Packers team with plenty to play for, as they’re looking for the No. 1 seed, which includes a first-round bye and home field advantage.

But there’s still another path to the playoffs for Chicago if they happen to lose to Green Bay, which is going to require some help from the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals, who need to lose in order for the Bears to clinch that seventh seed.

While there was some uncertainty with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s status — as he injured his lower leg on the final play of last Saturday’s loss against the San Francisco 49ers — Murray insists that he’ll suit up against the Rams on Sunday.

Which isn’t good news for the Bears, as the Rams will be without starting quarterback Jared Goff, who had surgery on his right thumb and will miss Week 17. That means it’s up to backup quarterback John Wolford to get it done…without receiver Cooper Kupp, who’s on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The good news is that the Rams have a formidable defense that’s sure to give Murray and Arizona’s offense fits on Sunday. Look at what the 49ers did last week, where the defense frustrated Murray and that offense all game, and San Francisco came away with the win.

When all is said and done, the Bears ultimately control their own playoff destiny. If they win, they’re in. Simple as that. Even if that means slaying Goliath in a pivotal match-up against the Packers.

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The Bears have a chance to make history with a playoff berth in 2020

After a six-game losing streak, Chicago could become the third team in NFL history to make the playoffs after that skid.

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The Chicago Bears are just one win away from a playoff appearance, which is hard to believe considering this team lost six straight games and appeared poised to clean house after this season.

But the Bears have quickly turned the tide, thanks to their suddenly high-powered offense, winning three straight games and putting themselves in a position to make the postseason.

If Chicago locks up a coveted wild card spot in the NFC, they’ll be just the third NFL team since the merger to make the playoffs after a six-game losing streak, along with the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals and 2014 Carolina Panthers.

But to do that the Bears will need one of two things to happen — beat the Green Bay Packers or they need the Arizona Cardinals to lose to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Chicago’s track record against Green Bay is well-documented, and it’s not reassuring with MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers one win away from locking up the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.

Although relying on the Cardinals to lose to the Rams isn’t ideal either, especially with Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff will miss Sunday’s game after having surgery on his broken thumb. But Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray is also banged up, and his status for Sunday is in jeopardy.

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Bears playoff push: Jared Goff, Kyler Murray are uncertain for Week 17

The Bears can make the postseason with a Cardinals loss in Week 17. And injuries to Jared Goff and Kyler Murray are worth monitoring.

The Chicago Bears are entering the most important week of their 2020 season with a postseason berth on the line in Week 17.

The good news is that the Bears are in control of their own destiny. If they win on Sunday, then they’re in. The only problem is they’ll host the Green Bay Packers, a team that will be playing for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. It doesn’t help that Green Bay has had Chicago’s number for the better part of a decade-plus.

But the Bears can also snag that seventh seed in the NFC with some help from the Los Angeles Rams, who will host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. If the Cardinals lose to the Rams, it won’t matter if Chicago wins or loses to Green Bay. But if Arizona beats Los Angeles and the Bears lose, Chicago will be ousted from the playoffs.

To make matters worse, there’s a mess of injuries that threaten that Rams-Cardinals match-up, which includes both starting quarterbacks.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff suffered what’s believed to be a broken right thumb in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While it was originally believes that the injury would end Goff’s season, he is meeting with Dr. Steven Shin for another opinion. While Goff will indeed need surgery on his thumb, he might be able to play through the injury. Still, his status for Sunday’s game is uncertain.

Then there’s Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who suffered what Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury called a “lower leg injury” in the closing seconds of last Saturday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Murray remained on the ground for a good while before leaving the field. Schefter notes that Murray’s status for Sunday is also uncertain.

At this point, it sounds like Murray has more of a shot to play than Goff, but we’ll have to see how this week shakes out. But if both can’t go, it’ll be Rams backup quarterback John Wolford and Cardinals backup quarterback Chris Streveler. Both have never attempted a pass in the NFL.

This situation will be worth monitoring heading into a pivotal Week 17 contest, which will be played at the same time that Chicago will be hosting Green Bay at 3:25 p.m. CT.

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The Chicago Bears are now one win away from clinching a playoff spot

With a Cardinals loss on Saturday and a Bears win on Sunday, Chicago has now taken control of the seventh spot in the NFC playoff race.

In the year of 2020, it’s been a wild ride for the Chicago Bears, who it feels like have played three different seasons. After a 5-1 start, the Bears lost six straight games, where it felt like they were going to blow everything up at season’s end.

Now, Chicago is riding a three-game winning streak and have found a way to not only sneak into the postseason discussion, but they now control their own destiny in the NFC playoff hunt.

With an Arizona Cardinals loss on Saturday and a 41-17 Bears win on Sunday, Chicago has now taken control of the seventh spot in the NFC playoff race.

With just one game remaining in the regular season, the Bears are in firm control of their playoff destiny. A win next week against the Green Bay Packers will clinch a postseason berth. Which is certainly a tall order, but there could be a guardian angel looking out for the Bears.

If the Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks and the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, Green Bay would secure a first-round bye in the playoffs, which could leave the Packers with nothing to play for in Week 17 against Chicago. That would mean potentially resting their starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Davante Adams, at Soldier Field.

But the Bears can still sneak into the playoffs if they lose next week — if the Los Angeles Rams deal a loss to the Cardinals. Still, all you can ask for at this point is for Chicago to be in control.

If the Bears win, they’re in. It’s as simple as that.

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