The Bears pulled one out last night, beating the Green Bay Packers 20-17 in overtime. Improbably, their hopes for an NFC playoff spot are still alive.
Last week, nothing went right for the Bears. Every team they needed to lose won. This week, the polar opposite happened.
First Dallas choked. Then Tampa Bay choked. And the Vikings choked. Then Philadelphia choked. And Starks choked. And then Mason choked. Hold on a minute! I think the Vikings just fumbled again!
It was just perfect. And the Bears almost fouled it up by playing totally uninspired football through the first three quarters last night. But a late touchdown by Matt Forte, a blocked field goal by Alex Brown, a fortunate overtime coin toss and a field goal by Robbie Gould saved the day.
It's no secret that I'm not impressed by this Bears team. I don't think they are that good. Then again, I don't think Minnesota, Dallas, Tampa Bay or Philadelphia are all that good either. Each of those four teams lost critical games over the weekend. Unlike their competitors, the Bears found a way to win an important late-season game. They deserve credit for that.
The odds are still against the Bears. If they are to win the NFC North, they must beat Houston next week and hope Minnesota loses to the New York Giants. If they are to win the wild card, they must beat Houston and hope Dallas loses to Philadelphia AND hope Tampa Bay loses to Oakland.
It doesn't seem likely the Bears will make the playoffs, but as I said last week, I will not say 'done' until it is mathematically so. Anything can happen in the NFL.
Today is Coronation Day. I am excited about today. The Vikings are playing the Giants, and the Blackhawks are playing the Wild in the evening. I will be glued to the tell today, and I expect a great outcome on the football game and the hockey game.
I expect the Vikings to win today and win the NFC North today. I have a hard time believing the Vikings are going to stink the joint again for the second straight home game. I think the Vikings have the team to beat the Giants. Also, I don't expect Coughlin to use his best players for most of the game. He will call off the dogs by the second quarter at best. There is no need for him to use his best players with nothing to play for especially with guys like Tuck, Jacobs, and others hurting. Giants are banged up. Also, I have a hard time believing David Carr is going to beat the Vikings. Carr has not proven himself in the NFL so why should things change today? Even if the Vikings lose, I dare Da Bears to go win 4 in a row. They have proven that they have not done that all year, and they are not going to be at home today.
Let's see Da Bears win on the road, which they have not done all year. Let's see if Da Bears defense can do something on the road, which they have not done all year. The Texans got lot to play for like being a spoiler. Plus, I doubt they want to see Da Bears celebrate at their own home field. I know most Bears fans are expecting an easy win today, which shows how arrogant they are.
As for the hockey game, I am so excited about this game. I want to see how good the Hawks are really are. They have done great, but again, can they do well against a team that traps? The Wild trap exclusively every game unlike most teams, who tend to trap only when it matters in April. Plus, the Hawks have historically done bad at the State of Hockey (Minnesota). Better yet, when have the Hawks ever beaten the Wild? The Wild has owned the Hawks since the Wild were born. I just love the Wild's chances here. The Wild have the Hawks number and that has to be a mental obstacle that the Hawks have to overcome.
It will be a very special day, and it's days like this that make me a sports fan.