Are The Bears The Best Third Place Team In The NFL?

by Brandon on Nov 10, 2011 2:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers Analysis

Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler finally appears to be having fun with it all - ESPN Chicago. From the article:

Either way, Cutler is on the radio, on Twitter and on his game, both verbally and football-wise this week, all very good things for the Chicago Bears...

"It's so much more fun, just going out there and playing with those guys and being able to execute the offense and have some fun and be creative," Cutler free-versed Wednesday. "That's what it's all about."

I expect the Bears will make the playoffs this year, and they deserve it. They have one of the best running backs in Matt Forte and they once again have a solid defense. They also have a favorable schedule too. After their game against the Lions next Sunday, they have a four game stretch against the four AFC West teams, and all of those teams have some significant problems.

They've outscored their opponents by a net margin of 26, which puts them just ahead of the Eagles, who have a net margin of 21. While the Eagles sit at 3-5, I'd have to think the 5-3 Bears are just a couple plays away from being a 3-5 team too. The Bears can take comfort that their three losses have been against 3 of the top 4 teams in the NFC (Packers, Lions, Saints), but it also makes them look like an also ran.

Along with the Bills and Steelers, who also sit at 3rd place in their respective divisions, they are one of the best third place teams in the NFL. Do you think they're certain to earn a wild card birth this season?

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I don't think they're a certain Wild Card team

As you mention, all 3 of their losses are agains NFC teams. They still have to play in GB, so if they lose that one they;ll end up with at least 4 NFC losses, which could hurt them if it comes down to tie breakers.

by Zundar on Nov 10, 2011 2:18 PM CST reply actions

This is true but I only see them losing this week and at Green Bay the rest of the year

And 11-5 gets you into the playoffs, period. Even if they lose another they’d have to be one of five 10-6 teams ever to miss the playoffs (and yes I know two were last year, we all know what 10-6 team won that three way tie)

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 3:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I think they have a good shot at it

Just don’t think it’s certain. Plus the Patriots went 11-5 in 2008 and didn’t make the playoffs. Plus it may come down to who wins the South. If Atlanta, or even Tampa. win the South the Saints will have the tie breaker. And the Cowboys only have 2 NFC losses, so if they get their act together.

On the other hand, now that I’m actually looking at the standings, most NFC teams already have at least 3 NFC losses. And of course the entire West is out of the WIld Card discussion.

by Zundar on Nov 10, 2011 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

Oh yeah, I got 10-6 mixed up with 11-5, there's been a few 10-6 teams that missed the playoffs, though it's not common

It was that Cassell lead Pats team that made me think two 10-6 teams before last year because they were the second 11-5 team ever to miss. Still I agree nothing is set in stone, but if I was a betting man I’d call the Bears an 11-5 or 10-6 wild card. We may get both Wild Cards from this division, leaving only the Vikings out (which considering they had Favre the last two years this would make me very happy)

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 5:00 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I accidentally replied to myself instead of Zundar

Fail

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 5:01 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

shh…don’t mention the Patriots or the year with Cassel please!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 11, 2011 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Why not?

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Nov 11, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

That's why.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

Skol is a four-letter word.

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Nov 11, 2011 9:00 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

They own the tiebreaker vs Eagles and Falcons now..

so it’s not out of the question they are a wildcard. The Christmas game at Lambeau could be a very big game. First they have a huge game this weekend vs the Lions.

They have 3 division games left, then only other conference game is vs SeaHags. If they go 4-4 in the last 8, and 3 of those wins are in conference, I have to think they are in.

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Nov 10, 2011 2:36 PM CST reply actions

If they end the season tied with the Eagles

they aren’t going to be in the playoffs.

by Archibaldcrane on Nov 10, 2011 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

forgot about Bucs

If they have a better record than the Eagles, who’s really left? They only lose a tiebreaker to the Saints, or Lions if they lose to them again Sunday. I guess the Cowboys could beat them out…

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Nov 10, 2011 8:50 PM CST up reply actions

you can tell cutler doesn't smile very often

thats one scary looking smile

by tmoneyttime1 on Nov 10, 2011 3:06 PM CST reply actions

Honestly,

I think after this Sunday, they will be the best second place team. The Lions will be the best third place team.

by joeybal56 on Nov 10, 2011 3:11 PM CST reply actions

I met a Lion's Fan

Yesterday and I have got to ask….Are they all that “mentally impaired?” This guy, after I let him know I was a Packers fan, literally believes the Lions are a better team, a better franchise with a better history. After explaining to him, that not limited to just the NFL, the Packers have the best franchise in the WORLD, because it remains the only fan owned (which I will become after the stock sale) he roared “SUUUUUUUUUHHHH” I walked away in disbelief. So I ask again, are all Lion Fans that “mentally impaired?”

"Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."

by dieapack on Nov 10, 2011 3:14 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

Yup, one good half-season makes THEM the measuring stick in the NFC, apparently.

by mike_o on Nov 10, 2011 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Better history?!?

Really? He actually said that?

1 playoff win in 50+ years is better than 4 Super Bowls plus several NFL titles?

by Zundar on Nov 10, 2011 3:24 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Nope.

POD is cool people.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Nov 10, 2011 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks Omaha.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

Twitter is for pussies. I follow people in real life.

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Nov 10, 2011 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Its amazing how much their fanbase has changed this year. Its making me wish they went back into hiding again. I was cheering for them to become competitive again but after seeing what that looked like on the field and from their fanbase, I wish they went back to sucking again.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 11, 2011 9:52 AM CST up reply actions

not that surprising

Detroit has probably the lowest average IQ of any city in America… and when you include the deep south, that’s saying something

when life gives you melons, you might be dyslexic...

by sheehan on Nov 11, 2011 7:07 PM CST up reply actions

Now that was a bit uncalled for....

considering the Midwest doesn’t have the most prestigious reputation intelligence-wise throughout the nation either, and we know that THAT isn’t true….

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Nov 11, 2011 7:22 PM CST up reply actions

sorry, I just wanted to take a shot at Detroit

it’s just such an easy target…

when life gives you melons, you might be dyslexic...

by sheehan on Nov 12, 2011 1:39 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, and I was just feigning concern...

I really don’t care who you insult. :D

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Nov 12, 2011 2:12 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

How about if

you include Tiara del Fuego?

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

Skol is a four-letter word.

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Nov 12, 2011 2:27 AM CST up reply actions

I want to use the R word

Sooooo badly, but I dont want to disrespect anyone. Im sad to say that he is a member of the USAF. I’m glad I dont work with the dude.

"Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."

by dieapack on Nov 10, 2011 3:32 PM CST reply actions

I had to side with a Bears fan yesterday.

I know it sounds crazy. A guy in our class was saying how he (Broncos fan) is happy Cutler left because now Tebow could lead them to the playoffs because he is better then Cutler.

There is nothing wrong with me cheering for players that are former players for my teams. Unless they become a Viking.

by Giant_in_la_area on Nov 10, 2011 3:36 PM CST via mobile reply actions

It's ok, the Bears fans are Chicago fans we respect and hope thier team loses

Its Cubs fans that can never be sided with (and as a Cardinals fan I have as much room to say that as anyone, it’s a big rivalry and Cubs fans drive me nuts)

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 5:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

If it makes you feel better

I’m a Cubs fan and some (not all) Cards fans drive us nuts. There are definitely Cubs fans that drive me nuts, though.

by Danwood on Nov 10, 2011 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

That does make me feel better

Ribbing, jabbing, and driving each other nuts are what make rivalries fun

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 7:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

And not all Cubs fans drive me nuts, just the trendy frat boy ones that assume they have the WS won every spring

And the jerks that gave Bartman all of that hatred for touching a foul ball. A lot of Cubs fans are nice guys and decent baseball fans that grew up in Cub country. Also I have a hard time respecting Cubs fans knowledge of thier own history until I ask one about thier curse and instead of giving me some billy goat crap they tell me about Fred Merkle and the incredible pennant race of 1908

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 7:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Unfortunately "trendy frat boys" describes a lot of Cub fans

And I say that as someone who is a Chicago resident (and the Northside at that) but lucky enough to be both a White Sox and Packers fan. Cub fans are annoying clowns that think their ballpark, which was a dump as recently as the 90’s, is suddenly the hip place to hang out in the bleachers and not watch baseball. 103 years of not winning is almost impossible to do, but somehow they pulled it off.

by H3ller on Nov 10, 2011 9:39 PM CST up reply actions

Unquestionably The Best Third Place Team In The NFL

AND… they have a fairly easy schedule coming up, as opposed to the Lions, who are going to be thoroughly tested in the second half of their season. I can almost see these teams switching places in the NFC North standings.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Nov 10, 2011 4:20 PM CST reply actions