The Bears' Third Quarter: You can only be so lucky for so long

I suppose that if you're just looking at the graphic, then the improvement in the standings would lead you to believe that things are trending upward. Of course, I tried to wedge the assumed moments that injured two of the team's most valuable players. The Packers have already clinched the division and, hell, it probably won't be long before many of us start hoping they'll finally be able to send those miserable old '72 Dolphins to their graves having to know that they were not, as it turned out, the only team to have a perfect season.

Still, as unbelievably unfortunate as things have gone for the Bears in this last stretch, there remains a possibility of the playoffs. And maybe with Matt Forte and Jay Cutler back, it would be undeniably joyous if Chicago, lo and behold, were the team to end the Green Bay dreams of a flawless repeat.

How realistic are thoughts about the playoffs now? That's debatable. In all likelihood, it only seems destined to make the season a one-and-done year with an immediate exit. If the team can grab the fifth instead of the sixth spot, maybe they can hold their own against whomever comes out of the East. But the concern seems more about getting into the playoffs. It's hard to imagine much beyond that when lately, it just seems like things are not going to go your way.

 

The Bears were an exceptionally lucky team last year, and it took them all the way to within one game of the Super Bowl. That was a pretty admirable effort and a testament to what Lovie Smith has been able to accomplish as a head coach in Chicago.

You hate to see Cutler and Forte suffer injuries, but the Bears certainly had to assume there was little to no possibility they got through yet another entire regular season unscathed. That's not to say "they had it coming," but in the sport of football, injuries can always swing a season. You certainly hope that the team can still find a way to take enough of their remaining games to get into the playoffs, but there is just no denying that even at your healthiest, you are going to struggle to keep up with Green Bay.

Everybody will. And so looking forward, I'm guessing this team comes up one game short. Then again, with the way every contending team for those wild cards lost their Week 13 matchups, maybe the Bears one last stroke of luck could be somehow backing into the playoffs after all.