Not gonna lie, it’s a little hard to get into this game because I simply don’t know what Lions’ team is going to run out of the tunnel.
Will they be like the Bears last year vs Pack in the finale desperately trying to play spoilers even if it only involved some marginal playoff seeding?
Or will Dan Campbell rest his MASH unit and call it a season, maybe even doing a small favor to his former OC Ben Johnson? I mean, the last thing Campbell would want is Goff tearing his achilles in a meaningless game [Remember when Lovie made Lach play the last game, and he INJed himself and was never really the same?]
The seeding is relatively simple now. Seattle clinched #1 Seed [that D impressed]. Bears currently hold tie breaker over Eagles for the #2 Seed, so if both win out, Bears are #2. If Eagles tie/lose, Bears are #2.
As for who the Bears will face as the #2 Seed, well, that’s a bit more complicated which I’m sure the pregame shows will math ad nauseum, but suffice it to say, Bears will likely host a game vs Packers which would be insane.
9ers and Rams are also possibilities. Sadly, not which ever NFCS team limp-dicks in.
✶ Sports Mockery ✶@sportsmockery·16h
Here are the odds for who the Bears might face in the first round:
- Green Bay Packers: 78%
- They are the clear favorite if the Bears win against Detroit or if Philadelphia loses. The Packers are already locked in at the #7 seed.
- San Francisco 49ers: 13%
- If the Bears lose to Detroit and Philadelphia wins, they will drop to #3. Seattle wins and the Rams beat Arizona also affects this.
- Los Angeles Rams: 9%
- Similar scenario as with the 49ers; Bears drop to #3 if they lose to Detroit and Philadelphia wins. If the 49ers win or if Seattle wins and the Rams lose to Arizona, this also matters.
I’m interested in Ben Johnson’s strategy.
Will he follow the Belichick way of playing all the starters to keep them sharp for the playoffs?
Or will he choose to rest players since they aren’t the #1 seed and don’t have a bye?
Maybe he’ll find a middle ground and rest some injured players and older veterans who usually would play.
Ultimately, the main goal is to win and stay healthy.
The Bears will need every advantage in the playoffs since they’ve exceeded expectations all year.
Bear Down, baby.