The dream is over for the Chicago Bears in 2019. With Sunday’s 21-13 loss to the hated rival Packers in Green Bay, the Bears are now officially eliminated from the 2019 NFC Playoff chase.
The Dream is Over
Who wants to read about last week’s Bears loss at Green Bay?… Me neither. So let’s not. Chicago is left for dead at 7-7 in a year in which the NFC has many solid teams. It’s gonna take at least a 10-6 record to qualify as a Wild Card. Instead of lamenting what went wrong this year, let’s move on to Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
We now pause for Great Moment #1 in the history of Bears vs Chiefs:
Remember that stinker from December 4, 2011? I vaguely remembered it but after watching the entire highlight above, I recall being quite upset that day. The Bears defense played awesome but allowed a halftime Hail Mary. That was enough for the Chiefs who won 10-3. Chicago’s offense stunk as QB Caleb Hanie was filling in for the injured starter Jay Cutler who had broken his throwing pinkie a two weeks prior. Also, RB Matt Forte sprained his MCL, thus ending his season. This loss dropped the Bears to 7-5, who ended up not making the Playoffs despite a 7-3 start with Cutler. Once Jay was hurt, the Bears went in a tailspin losing five games in a row. Chicago finished with an 8-8 record.
Great Moment #2 in Bears vs Chiefs history:
Four years ago the Bears went into Kansas City in Week 5 and surprised the Chiefs with a last second touchdown pass from Cutler to Forte as seen above. Bears won 18-17, moving them to 2-3 on the year. The elation was short lived for Bears fans as they lost two divisional games in a row. Chicago ended the year at 6-10.
Great Moment #3 in Bears vs Chiefs history:
As you know, in 1977 Walter Payton recorded one of the greatest runs of his illustrious career. It was in Soldier Field against the Chiefs. What you probably don’t know is that this game was on November 13, 1977 in Week 9. The 3-5 Bears hosted the Chiefs in a game that most thought was just another run-of-the-mill affair. Inspired by Walter’s almost miraculous run, Head Coach Jack Pardee’s Bears won a thrilling 28-27 game over Kansas City, propelling them to victory in six straight games to end the ’77 regular season. The Bears 9-5 record was enough to thrust them into the NFC Wild Card game. Chicago’s streak came to an end in Dallas on the day after Christmas by a 37-7 rout. Nonetheless, Walter’s run lives on forever.
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On Sunday night the Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) invade Soldier Field. They bring with them the reigning NFL MVP, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It’s well documented that Mahomes was drafted #10 overall in the same 2017 Draft as Bears QB Mitch Trubisky, who was taken at #2 overall. Despite ‘redshirting’ in his rookie season by playing in only one game, Mahomes ousted Chiefs former starting QB Alex Smith to post one of the most prolific seasons in NFL history in 2018. He threw for 5097 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions all while leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game with a 12-4 regular season record. If it wasn’t for a questionable late offsides penalty on the Chiefs defense, they may have beaten the New England Patriots. Then they may have won Super Bowl 53 over the Los Angeles Rams. We’ll never know.
Instead, the Chiefs are once again knocking on the door of NFL supremacy. Currently they are in the 3rd spot in the AFC Playoff picture. Can they make a run at ousting the Patriots dynasty this year?
Mahomes hasn’t been as productive as last year, but he’s still close to dominant. He’s thrown for 3606 passing yards with 23 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions in 12 games played out of their 14. He was injured at Denver with a dislocated kneecap but only missed two games. Since returning on November 10, he’s led the Chiefs to a 4-1 record.
I think what we’re all wondering is how will the Bears react now that they are eliminated from the 2019 postseason? With all the injuries, will Chicago curl up and hide from the electric Chiefs offense? Will they put up a fight despite missing both inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith? Will previously injured defensive end Akiem Hicks gut it out again or will he be placed back on Injured Reserve?
It’s sad because at the beginning of the season I was looking forward to this game as much as any. In fact, it was my Super Bowl 54 preseason prediction. Now it’s just proof that I was wrong about this season’s Bears. Oh well, we can’t be right every year or else people would think I’m a psychic. Then I’d have to go into private practice as one of those roadside magicians. It would probably be called “The All Knowing Lion’s Hookah Lounge with Esoteric Experts of Astrology including Tarot Card Reading”. I’d have to charge people to look into my Crystal Ball. I don’t want to make money. Sounds too…extravagant. Plus, what would Gary “The Gut” Goombah do with all the competition?
Prediction:
I’m guessing the Bears aren’t going to be super excited to play this game. Other than Head Coach Matt “Charles” Nagy working on his offense with the still young and inexperienced Trubisky, I don’t see much reason for Chicago to play this game. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are motivated to win to maintain, and possibly improve, their Playoff seeding.
Kansas City is favored by six points. They are a better team. They have a better coach in Andy Reid. He’s the mentor to Nagy’s protege. They are on a roll, winning four games in a row. The Bears are like the baby Chiefs, in need of more weapons to be a dominant offense. The usually dominant Bears defense is missing three or four starters depending on CB Prince Amukamara and DE Akiem Hicks and their questionable status, along with the previously mentioned missing inside LB’s. Without them, we expect Chiefs dynamic WR’s Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, and Mecole Hardman to shred the Bears DB’s.
The Chiefs will roll on Sunday Night Football. The Bears will close out the season at Soldier Field in the home finale by losing big and likely hearing boos from patrons.
Kansas City Chiefs 31, Chicago Bears 17
Dutch Lion Sports 