If the Bears were going to make one final push for the postseason, then you knew *THIS* is what it was going to go down. It was never going to be easy. Every play was going to necessitate the use of a stress ball in between snaps. And the game’s final score wouldn’t be decided until the clock hit all zeros.
At the end of today’s taffy pull, the Bears beat the Vikings 33-27. And this was your lasting image:
Ah, yes. The undeniable look of victory despite a near scare. It’s old hat for Bears fans at this point.
David Montgomery ran through, past, and around would-be tacklers all day. He led the way with a career-high 146 yards on 32 carries, tacking on a pair of touchdowns. Mitchell Trubisky played the role of game manager quite well, completing 15 of 21 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. That fourth-quarter interception gave me heartburn, but the defense balled out when it had to and bailed out Trubisky’s terrible decision.
And on top of all that, they opened a portal to making the postseason as soon as next week.
No, seriously:
#Bears can clinch playoff spot next week with following scenario:
Eagles beat Cardinals this week
Next week:
Bears beat Jaguars
Saints beat Vikings
49ers beat Cardinals— Bill Zimmerman (@ZimmermanSXM) December 20, 2020
It’s still pretty evident that wholesale changes need to be made down the road. That defense has too much talent to give up 27+ points in three of its last four games. And the quarterback play still leaves so much to be desired. As does the coaching on both sides of the ball. Winning while still showing your deficiencies is a bright red flag, as far as I’m concerned.
But I can’t front: the idea of postseason football is tantalizing as heck.
So … Go Eagles! You guys owe “us” one from 2018. And I bet Matt Nagy hasn’t let Doug Pederson forget it.