To Packer fans, this is the game that matters
As this week has progressed and it has finally hit me that my beloved Packers are really playing for a Super Bowl berth on Sunday, I’ve realized something — beating the Bears on Sunday is more important than a potential matchup with the Steelers or Jets in two weeks.
In other words, if someone guaranteed me that Green Bay would win on Sunday, but it would mean a guaranteed loss in the Super Bowl, I’d be all right with that. I’d take that guaranteed win over our arch-rival instead of letting this four-team tournament play itself out.
Why? Because if the Packers lose, Bears fans will be insufferable. Chicago will probably go on to lose to whichever AFC team wins on Sunday, but it won’t matter. Bears fans will gloat about how they knocked the Packers out, and how nobody gave them any respect, and how Jay Cutler is headed to the Hall of Fame, and how Mike Martz is a genius, and how a dynasty is forming, etc.
What’s funny is that there was a point in the not-too-distant past (circa 2005) where Green Bay/Chicago wasn’t really a rivalry anymore. Sure, there was a long history between the two teams, but the Bears stunk from 1992 to 2004, going a collective 85-123 (.409), and had just three winning seasons during that span. The Packers, of course, won multiple division titles and went to two Super Bowls, winning one. I remember telling people that I actually felt sorry for the Bears. I was more worried about Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss and the Vikings.
But the Bears are back to respectability, and this game has to really worry Packer fans. Green Bay is a 3.5-point favorite, the game is on the road, Soldier Field is a mess (which will limit the GB offense), it’s going to be cold, and the Bears can play the “no one respects us” card. Aaron Rodgers is (justifiably) being elevated to “elite QB” status after his performance down the stretch, and there’s a chance that bubble will burst as the Packer offense devolves into the inconsistent unit that we’ve seen throughout the season. (Thirteen points against Washington? Nine against the Jets? Three against the Lions? Three?!?)
Chicago is a pretty solid team that could pull the upset on any given Sunday, especially at home. But the bottom line is that if Calvin Johnson’s non-TD TD catch would have counted in Week 1, the Bears wouldn’t have made the playoffs. (GB would have won the division and the Giants would have won the Wild Card with their regular season win against Chicago. The Giants had ten sacks in that game, by the way.) Then the Bears drew Seattle, probably the worst playoff team ever to win a playoff game. Meanwhile, the Falcons were forced to play arguably the best (or at least the hottest) team in the NFC, just because they were the #6 seed.
The Bears have played a great schedule, faced a number of injured QBs, and drew a great first matchup in the playoffs. The Packers have 15 players on injured reserve, weathered a late-season concussion that knocked Rodgers out of a game and a half, and have been playing sudden death football since Week 16. Green Bay seems destined to go to the Super Bowl, but Chicago can stomp all those good feelings out with a win on Sunday.
And really, there would be nothing worse.
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Posted in: Fantasy Football, NFL
Tags: 2011 NFL Playoffs, Aaron Rodgers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers
Well, as a Bear fan for over 35 years, I thought I would lay low and listen to all the “experts” bash the “lucky” Bears, and talk about how Aaron Rodgers can now walk on water. But, I cannot hold my tongue any longer.
I have read many of your stories and you usually do a good job. Even in this piece, you made a lot of sense. But, I also think the Packer fans would be “insufferable” if they get knocked out by the Bears.
I truly believe that you are playing both ends against the middle here. You left-handedly compliment the Bears so that in case, just in case, the Bears do win, you can fall back on those comments.
For a man who does this for a living, I cannot believe that you say that if Johnson’s catch had been ruled good in game one, the Bears would not have even made the playoffs. Of course, there is no single play that ever changed the course of a season for any other team in the NFL!!!
Your Packers may have a “ferocious” defense, and Aaron Rodgers may “walk on water” right now. But, I am happy to say that the Chicago Bears will show up, anyway, at Soldier Field and you and the Packers will hopefully get their best shot.
Our QB is “dumb”, The offensive line “sucks”, the secondary is questionable, the offensive coordinator is “nuts”…….I’m going to call my bookie now and put everything I own on the Packers.
The Bears had to play the Seahawks, it was scheduled, because the heavily favored defending World Champions couldn’t beat them (even in Seattle).
I truly hate the Packers but I respect them as a football team (that’s how rivalries work). But, the Bears are one of the four remaining teams and they played their way in. I respect all four teams for getting to this point, and it would be nice if some of you “experts” did the same.
Enjoy the game, I think it will be a good one.
Da Bear, I think this was more of an expression of anxiety over losing to a rival, rather than an analysis of the matchup.
Yes the “Johnson’s catch” theory was a stretch, but I wonder how you felt about the Bears OL back in October when Seattle sacked Cutler 9 times and concussed him? Then they went 4-3 the next week, I bet you might have heard someone at work say, “We’ll be lucky to make the playoffs!”
And of course, fans of any rival are insufferable when their team beats yours. But it seems to me that this article does show respect to the Bears team, because it’s full of nervous worry with a pinch of angst.
By the way, I’m all for the Bears, but I can’t imagine how they’ll beat GB, but we shall see.
Bear down Chicago Bears lallalalalalalal Victory
Bear down Chicago Bears lalalalalalal to Victory
Where the hell is Mike Ditka
Afraid I can’t agree. This is clearly a bashing of the Bears in a left-handed manner.
For some reason Mr. Paulsen felt that 1992-2004 was important since the Bears “stunk” and the Packers flourished. Excuse me for being bold, but we could all pick out periods of time to make a point. Why is that relevant to Sunday’s game.
You see, more recently, 2005-2010, the Bears were 58-37 while the Packers were 52-44. During that same time the Bears were 1st in the Division three times while the Packers were 1st once.
I’m not a journalist, but I don’t believe it’s accurate to pull out years that fit your story while ignoring the most recent years’ stats. My point being that the Bears have been MORE THAN competitive with the Packers in recent years.
Jester is correct. The Bears had two seasons this year, and prior to their bye week they were terrible, but they turned it around and have earned the position they are in right now. They may lose Sunday, but alas, they may win!
Of course the Bears could have lost to the Lions in Week 1 and then rattled off 15 straight wins, but all else being equal, had Calvin’s TD catch counted, the Bears wouldn’t have even made the playoffs. That’s how wide open the NFC is this year and we’re seeing it in the playoffs.
As for pulling stats from 1992-2004, that was to illustrate my point that this wasn’t even much of a rivalry for more than a decade. I think the gap between the two teams during that span was a little more dramatic than your +6 win margin from 2005-2010, no? That period is important because it affected how each franchise viewed the “rivalry.” The Bears have a chip on their shoulders because they had to look up to Green Bay in the standings all those years, while the Packers are only now getting back to seeing Chicago as a legitimate threat since Minnesota has been more of a thorn in their side.
And how would Packer fans be insufferable if GB loses on Sunday? Please elaborate.
Mike Ditka is sitting in a bar 2 miles from me. I know his favorite restaurant, see him there a lot.
I don’t know that I’ve ever read that Cutler is dumb. Narcissistic? Scared in the pocket? overrated? arrogant? a douchebag?…sure. But dumb? Can’t say I’ve seen it.
The Packers are 4-2 against the Bears over the last 3 years. The Defense is making plays and so is Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have this one! GoPackGo!
Guess I am out-numbered, as I was only trying to exercise my American gift of free speech.
Let me clarify, my negative comments about the Bears (i.e. Cutler is dumb, etc) was tongue-in-cheek. Hence, the quotes around the words “dumb”, “sucks”, “nuts”. The dumb was referring to the many sportscasters who I have heard say that Cutler makes “dumb” plays.
I see no reason to call another human being, who I have never personally met, names like “douchebag”. That shows no class at all.
It is time to end the banter and play the game. May the best team win. And when it’s over the Bears will still be my team and Cutler will be my QB. Peace to you all.
@ Da Bear, Don’t sweat the small thing mang, everyone is entitle to their own opinion. Passionate feeling about your team is always welcome. I’m a Packers fans and there no other team I dislike more then the Bears. With that being said, they have my utmost respect after week 17 display. They didn’t have to play their starter down to the final minute of the game, but they did and I applause them for that. It’s the passion to play and win every single week, not resting starter, that’s the respect you will earn from most if not all Football fan. I think what JP trying to said is, Bears and Packers use to have a great rivalry up till 2005. Then it’s went to Packers and Viking, but now it look like it’s back to Bear and Packers again. It WILL be a good game tomorrow, and at the end of the day, we will have the right to brag over our team. So, may the best team win.
Go Packers !!!!
Hey Bear, you could say GB is lucky the Giants couldn’t protect a 35-10 halftime lead against Philly otherwise the Giants are playoff bound . . . Just sayin’!
The Packers were fortunate to make the playoffs. There was a point (after the Lions game) where they really didn’t deserve it. But they did some good work to seal a bid and overcame a plethora of injuries to still make the postseason.
JP I’ve been waiting for a moment like this… thanks for all your help in fantasy, and that Tamme pick up.
1st key factor and similarity of the two teams: lack of expereience in the playoffs for their Qb’s, both teams should be good for awhile. 2nd the field condition will cause injuries, if you get tackled out of bounds… doubble ouch. 3rd Ditka picked the Pack to win it all in week 2, but picks the Bears now.
“Well never forget the way you swept the nation with your T-Formation…”
I really doubt the neccesity of elaborating how either end of a rivialry could be insufferable. Jp Come on. I get it Lambeau is a respectful place for visiting fans, even bear fans. I love the Brat stop, Alpine Valley, Lake Shawno, Madison… your women. But if you think fans in your state, WI, and your fans in our state are all a walk in the park, your sadly mistaken?
Most packer fans in IL are insufferable. How about the Niles Police station sign that reads GO PACK GO. Guys that are willing to call Cutler inconsistant but shun any inkling of a comparison to Farve. Guys that agree Clay matthews is really good. But say he is more importaint than Woodson or Raji. Tip of the iceberg, in regards to insufferable, and if you are unwavering in your belief we can agree to disagree. I love the Bears… Warts and all, and hope you do the same for your team. May the best team win. So excited its like Christmas time!
“Your the pride and joy of Illinois”
FAIR WARNING
They will be cheering and clapping durring the naitonal anthem… It a Blackhawks thing and dates back to the ‘Miracle’ on ice against Russia. Please don’t be offended. They have the Blackhawks anthem guy Jim Cornelison, singing and it will be loud!
Jeffers, you were making sense until you said “Guys that are willing to call Cutler inconsistent but shun any inkling of a comparison to Farve.” That’s because there really is no comparison, unless you’re comparing him to the 40+ year old Favre, or the fact that they’re both douchebags.
Maybe it’s just because the most prominent memories of the Bears this year in my mind are the Giants thrashing them and the gift wrapped win in week 1, but I’m having a very hard time taking this team seriously.
Assuming no catastrophic injuries to the Packers, I would honestly be more surprised by a 1 point Bears win than by a 30 point Packers win. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been wildly wrong on something like this but I think that the Bears received an immense amount of good fortune to even make it this far.
It’s Game Day and all the yesterday’s are gone. I don’t about Cutler or Rodgers….call them dumb and dumber…doesn’t matter now.
Suit up boys and have at it…..I just want to see who the Jets will be playing in two weeks.
T bone: Comparing Cutler and Farve is not popular or simple. Farve has nearly 15 years more of a statistical base on Cutler. That being said both: have great arm strenght, capable of real bad decisions, very inconsistaint. Yeah it may be a stretch. Fair enough.
Whichever QB wins this game is going to get a huge confidence boost that could effect this rivalry going forward.
I apologize that I called Cutler a douchebag. At the time I didn’t realize he was a much bigger pussy than he ever was a douchebag. Back to the Favre comparison…Cutler chips a nail and is relegated to an exercise bike the rest of the game. Favre breaks a thumb, a foot, or injures a bicep, and finds a way to get back in there. It took his entire arm turning as purple as his jersey to keep him out. Even thinking about comparing Cutler to Favre is a joke.
There may be insufferable Packer fans out there, in fact, I’m sure there are. But I wrote this from a perspective of a die-hard Packer fan and I was far more worried about how insufferable Bears fans would be with a Chicago win.
Luckily, I don’t have to worry about that now.
The Packers won fair and square. No excuses. I am proud that the Bears never quit…..
Does anyone know the teams that were dubbed the “black and blue league”? I know it was the Packers, Bears, Vikings and one other but I can’ remember.
Detroit Lions…the NFC Central was the black and blue division.
Don’t forget the Bucs. They were in the NFC Central too when it was called the black and blue division. The NFC North is still called that.
@Da Bear — The Bears defense played a great game and has a lot to be proud of.
I’m not sure Cutler can get you where you want to go.