Bears Prayers May Get Answered

NFL 2008: Green Bay Packers (5-9) at Chicago Bears (8-6) NFL 2008 Week 16

It's been a historic year for the Bears this season considering their 700th franchise win against the Jaguars and their 175th meeting versus the Packers. But, without a playoff berth this current set of Bears would not be satifisfied.

Heading into week 16, the Bears chances as the cliche goes were slim and none. But the almost impossible and definitely improbable occurred on Sunday to keep their playoff chances alive.

Bears NFL Playoff hopes once impossible are now a possibility

First and foremost, for any possible playoff scenario, the Bears have two win their two remaining games.

If the Bears lose either of their remaining two games, their playoff chances are over. If the Bears win their remaining two games, then the chances of winning the NFC North are more likely than a possible Wildcard playoff berth.

Green Bay Packers (5-9) at Chicago Bears (8-6)

NFC North Chances

The Vikings (9-6) improbable 24-17 loss at home to the Falcons have opened the door and the Bears have an outside chance at the NFC North title. For that to occur, the Bears need to defeat the Packers at home on Monday Night Football and then defeat the Texans in Houston, while the Vikings lose to the Giants on the road in the final week of the season.

NFC Wildcard Chances

Losses by the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Eagles give the Bears a chance at the the last wildcard playoff berth. If the Bears win their remaining two games, while both the Buccaneers (vs. Raiders) and Cowboys (at Eagles) lose next week, the Bears win the final wild card spot.

"Most teams that get 10 wins get into the playoffs," says Chicago head coach LOVIE SMITH. "That's the best we can do."

The scenarios for a playoff berth are tough for the Bears.

But they look like they have hit their stride at just the right time. They have won two in a row and three of their past four. In those four, the Bears have gotten a jump on their opponents by outscoring them in the first quarter, 38-3.

A big part of their offense, of course, has been the NFC's leading rookie rusher MATT FORTÉ (1,115 yards), who tops all NFL rookie rushers in scrimmage yards (1,539) and rushing first downs (55).

But, this is the Packers are the Bears biggest rival. The teams have played more -- 175 times -- than any other NFL clubs. The Packers handed Chicago its worst loss of the season on November 16, a 37-3 thrashing. "They did whip up on us pretty good last time," says Bears WR-KR DEVIN HESTER. "We still have that in the back of our heads. We're their rival team, so they're probably going to make sure we don't have a chance of making the playoffs."

The Chicago Bears (8-6) trail the Minnesota Vikings (9-6) by one half game in the NFC North. In the race for the NFC North title, the Vikings hold the tie-breakers over the Bears, so Chicago must finish with a better record than Minnesota to win the division crown.

The Green Bay Packers have been eliminated from the NFC playoff picture.

This Monday's game between Chicago and Green Bay marks the 177th meeting (including one playoff game) between the two teams. The Bears hold a 90-80-6 advantage in the series.

Earlier this season (11/16/2008), the Packers defeated the Bears 37-3 in Green Bay.

In that game, Green Bay RB Ryan Grant ran for 145 yards and one touchdown, while DE Jason Hunter returned a fumble recovery for 54-yard touchdown. Last season in Chicago, the Bears defeated the Packers, 35-7. The Bears blocked 2 punts & registered 2 interceptions. Bears RB Adrian Peterson ran for 102 yards & 1 TD.

Last week, the Bears needed overtime to defeat the Saints at home, 27-24. It was the Bears second consecutive victory. Meanwhile, the Packers lost to the Jaguars 20-16 in Jacksonville. It was the Packers 4th consecutive loss in a row

GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-9)

  • - Packers QB AARON RODGERS completed 23 of 30 (76.7) for 227 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 interception for 105.8 passer rating in only start vs. the Chicago Bears earlier this season. Rodgers needs 2 TDs to join LYNN DICKEY, BRETT FAVRE & DON MAJKOWSKI as only Packers with 3,000+ yards & 25+ TDs a in season
  • - DE AARON KAMPMAN has 37.0 sacks since 2006, 3rd most in NFL. In past 13, S NICK COLLINS (3 INT-TDs) & CB CHARLES WOODSON (2) each have 5 interceptions. Collins had 2 interceptions, including 55-yard INT-TD in 12/31/06 meeting
  • - RB RYAN GRANT aims for 3rd in row vs. the Chicago Bears with 100+ yards & TD. When Grant has 22+ attempts (including playoffs), Packers are 7-0. Has recorded 1st 1,000-yard season of career
  • - WR DONALD DRIVER has reception in 109 games in row, longest streak in team history. WR GREG JENNINGS has 23 career receiving TDs & 10 have been 40+ yards. Had TD in last meeting

CHICAGO BEARS (8-6)

  • - Bears QB KYLE ORTON is 14-2 (.875) as starter at home. When Orton has 100.0+ rating, Bears are 4-0
  • - RB MATT FORTÉ leads NFL rookies with 1,539 scrimmage yards & 75 1st downs. Matt is the only rookie to lead team in both rushing (1,115) & receptions (58). MATT FORTÉ joined Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON & NEAL ANDERSON as only Bears with 1,000 rush yards & 50 catches in season
  • - WR-PR-KR DEVIN HESTER has 17 TDs (7 PR, 5 kick return, 5 receiving), including playoffs. Had 84-yard PR-TD in 9/10/06 meeting
  • - Club ties for NFL lead with 29 takeaways (21 interception, 8 fumble recovery). LB BRIAN URLACHER aims for 4th in row vs. the Green Bay Packers with interception, including 85-yard INT-TD in last home meeting. DT TOMMIE HARRIS has 3.0 sacks in past 4. Bears have won 12 of past 15 when Harris has sack. Bears are 14-5 (.737) when CB CHARLES TILLMAN has interception. DE ADEWALE OGUNLEYE had interception last week, 1st of career. LB LANCE BRIGGS has 2 interceptions vs. the Green Bay Packers, both INT-TDs.

PREDICTION: Chicago Bears 35 Green Bay Packers 7

Expect the Bears to beat the struggling Packers at home quite easily. The score should be the same as last season's final, Bears 35 Packers 7.

Bears Prayers May Get Answered - NFL 2008 Week 16