Week 9: NFC Wild Card Watch

by Kev H on Nov 3, 2011 1:00 PM CDT in Notes

Chris Conte is flying high now, but he could play an integral part in the Bears' future after this week.

Yes, we're here again to take a look at the NFC--the teams that are in, the teams that are out. It's a crucial time in the season for the Bears to keep pace with others in the conference.

There are three teams in the NFC with a 4-3 record, and 3 teams with a 3-4 record. The Bears are 4-3, and their opponent this weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles, are 3-4. That math spells potential trouble. The win and tiebreaker will be key.

Hit the jump for the top 10 teams in the NFC, rooting interests for Week 9, and some of the implications of Monday Night's game.

Rank(Prev)	Team	W	L	Pct	Div	Conf	Streak	Last 5
1(1)	Green Bay Packers	7	0	1.000	(2-0)	(6-0)	7W	(5-0)
2(2)	San Francisco 49ers	6	1	.857	(1-0)	(4-1)	5W	(5-0)
3(5)	New York Giants	5	2	.714	(1-1)	(3-2)	2W	(4-1)
4(3)	New Orleans Saints	5	3	.625	(1-1)	(2-3)	1L	(3-2)
5(4)	Detroit Lions	6	2	.750	(2-0)	(4-2)	1W	(3-2)
6(6)	Chicago Bears	4	3	.571	(1-2)	(4-3)	2W	(3-2)
7(7)	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	3	.571	(2-0)	(3-3)	1L	(3-2)
8(8)	Atlanta Falcons	4	3	.571	(1-1)	(4-3)	2W	(3-2)
9(11)	Philadelphia Eagles	3	4	.429	(2-1)	(3-3)	2W	(2-3)
10(9)	Dallas Cowboys	3	4	.429	(1-1)	(3-2)	1L	(2-3)

The Bears don't change in position, but their grasp is weak right now. They have tiebreakers over the Bucs and Falcons, But a loss to the Eagles will push them right. To keep themselves in the position they're in, a win this weekend is crucial.

Week 9 Rooting Interests

BEARS at Philly --Cuz duh.

Seattle at Dallas --Only because the Cowboys are a stone's throw behind the Bears.
Atlanta at Indianapolis -- Because we want that tiebreaker to keep meaning something.
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans -- Better at this point to have the Saints win their division, so the tiebreaker stays in the Bears favor.
San Francisco @ Washington -- Pushes the Redskins even further off the list.
NYG at New England Patriots -- Keeps them several games ahead in their division, crucial for a team I think the Bears can beat in the playoffs, if need be.
Green Bay at San Diego -- Just in case there's an epic Green Bay collapse sitting in a warehouse somewhere.

Thoughts? Conundrums? Desires for outcomes differing from what we have here? Let us know!

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Comments

Beat the Eagles,

Then redeem that Lions lost, are the Bears are in good position.

by Big Ike on Nov 3, 2011 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

Oh!

and GO Chargers! just for this week.

by Big Ike on Nov 3, 2011 1:07 PM CDT reply actions

After the Rams beat the Saints...

I’m not ruling anything out. So go Chargers (ewww, did I just say that out loud?!)

We can beat Philly, we just have to limit the mistakes and play Bears proud defense.

Pay Matt Forte! Now!

by TheotherDane on Nov 3, 2011 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

This Philly game is close to a must-win.

Taking on another potential contender in a nationally-televised game, maintaining momentum, etc. Please God do not let Martz have a relapse this week. Lovie needs to station an assistant up in the booth with a tranquilizer gun and a Magic Marker to cross out all the seven-step drops where the TEs either don’t block or are asked to take on a DE solo.

by oripunk3485 on Nov 3, 2011 1:17 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Close? This IS a must-win

pretty much any game versus an NFC opponent is crucial right now.

by NorthSideBearsFan on Nov 3, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think the playoffs are out of the picture if the Bears lose.

That’s why I said close. Looking at the schedule after Monday night’s game, the toughest remaining opponents are the Lions, Chargers, and Packers. If the Bears lose to the Eagles, but go 6-2 over the final 8, they’ll be 10-6. If they go 7-1 (wishful thinking perhaps), they’ll be 11-5. Either way they’ll have a shot at the playoffs.

by oripunk3485 on Nov 3, 2011 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

True dat

but a loss to the Eagles will make a playoff run VERY difficult, and we don’t have the margin for error like we did last year. The NFC is so wide open this year that any loss could potential kill a team’s playoff dreams.

by NorthSideBearsFan on Nov 3, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree a win this week is monumental

A win means we have head to head over Tamp Atlanta AND Philly? not to mention we still get a crack at the lions again.

The Bears weathered that early season storm and now its our time to raise a storm of our own string together a nice winning streak.

Philly is getting it together and is playing how people said, the thing that worries me is having the young safeties but both have a good amount speed which we will need against the philly wide outs

Guns dont kill people. Brian Urlacher kills people.

by Bear Lovin 21 on Nov 3, 2011 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

The NFCN Powerhouse...

ONLY WITHOUT THE VIKINGS.

Sounds better that way.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Nov 3, 2011 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

Was this on purpose?

Chris Conte is flying high now

,,,and if so, am I the only one that caught it

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 3, 2011 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

Haha!

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Nov 3, 2011 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes

and probably.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 3, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I got it...

Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!

by Steven Schweickert on Nov 3, 2011 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

No I caught it...

#birdman

Someone once called Mr. T, Mr. Coffee...his body was found in a dumpster shortly after.

by Ditkavsworld on Nov 3, 2011 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think so...

What I’m thinking has nothing to do with birdman.

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 3, 2011 5:47 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

You mean

THIS?!?!?!?!?!

DUN DUN DUN

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 3, 2011 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

no.

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 4, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

The guy that wrote the Rocky theme song, "Gonna Fly Now",

is named Bill Conti. The lyrics of the song contain the phrase flying high now

Did no one else connect the dots!?!

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 4, 2011 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions

No.

Because:

1. I wasn’t aware the Rocky theme had lyrics.

2. It’s spelled differently.

3. You’re ridiculous.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 4, 2011 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Ridiculous like Devin Hester ridiculous?

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 4, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

1. I wasn’t aware the Rocky theme had lyrics.

Well it does take a while for the lyrics to come in on the song so that’s understandable.

Someone once called Mr. T, Mr. Coffee...his body was found in a dumpster shortly after.

by Ditkavsworld on Nov 4, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

after re-listening to it, I remember it having lyrics now. I guess I just always consider the instrumental part of the beginning.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 4, 2011 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Liar.

Someone once called Mr. T, Mr. Coffee...his body was found in a dumpster shortly after.

by Ditkavsworld on Nov 4, 2011 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

He is birdman!!

I’m sure there is a pun intended, but I guess players do call him Birdman. I’m sure he would make a great attorney…

by Captain Kangaroo on Nov 3, 2011 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

He has a birdlike frame, that's for sure

by Sound_Automatic on Nov 3, 2011 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Kev, this is definitely my favorite piece of the week. Love that I 1.) don't have to look these games and their implications up myself and 2.) the explanatory tidbits so I again, don't have to figure it out myself.

So, thanks.

"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."

by CurtisEnisFan on Nov 3, 2011 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

You're welcome!

Thanks for being kind.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 3, 2011 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions

the remainder of the schedule is looking a lot more difficult than it did at the beginning of the season.

why does the media love the eagles so much, or is it just the NFC east thang.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Nov 3, 2011 10:28 PM CDT reply actions

Couldn't be a worse time for the Bears to face Philly

I don’t know that the media especially loves the Eagles. I have read and heard lots of pundits saying that Vick is a great fantasy QB, but not the guy you need to run an efficient offense. Maybe the media loves the star power they have and there are some juicy storylines re. Vick, “Dream Team”, playing time at CB and so on.

As other posters have said, this looks like a must-win for the Bears. You are facing an Eagles team that followed a bye week by firing on all cylinders. Then, six days later, you have to face a Lions team that is getting healthier during their bye week while you have a short week to prepare.

As a Lions fan, I’ll be watching this one closely. My best guess is that you’ll need special teams to come through and Matt Forte to outgain Shady in order to have a decent chance.

I'll consider myself a dirty player when my mom calls me a dirty player
- Ndamukong Suh

by SuhSuhSuhdio on Nov 4, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Its all media garbage they always say eagles are gonna kill there bears.

The media never says how good the bears play vick tho,Like the last time we played them and beat them .Or even when he was in atlanta so go figure.

by tazz34 on Nov 4, 2011 1:01 AM CDT reply actions

long hair don't care

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 4, 2011 7:32 AM CDT reply actions

Sorry, but...

We gotta root for NE against the Giants. You can’t start worrying about who you are going to play in the playoffs before you even get in. If we lose to Philly, we gotta start rooting for them to win the division because we could still beat the Giants in a tie breaker.

by ChiTownSupremes on Nov 4, 2011 6:50 PM CDT reply actions

If the Bears beat the Eagles,

we have the tiebreaker, and would like that tiebreaker to mean something. The Giants losing would increase the chance, however slim, that Philly could win the NFC East, and said tiebreaker would be meaningless. Whether “We could beat the Giants (Kev’s opinion)” or not is irrelevant in that. And why would we ever assume the Bears lose in this?

Agreed, however, that with a loss to Philly, it becomes the Bears’ best interest to see Philly win the East. Then, the tiebreaker wouldn’t matter except for the game being another conference loss.

Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!

by Steven Schweickert on Nov 5, 2011 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions

I did a poor job clarifying.

All rooting interests assume Bears wins.

I choose the Giants because after a Bears win on Monday, they would hold tiebreakers on Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Philly, so those are teams I would prefer to be in contention for the Wild Card with.

I would prefer not to have a situation where the Bears have to return to a hostile Philly location in the Playoffs, and I like the Bears chances against that Giants squad. Yes, I am counting some chickens before they hatch, but I am also writing a post where I say “if the playoffs ended today”, which clearly holds no weight in the real world.

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 5, 2011 10:05 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

If the bears beat Philly...

Philly would have 5 losses. Philly would have to essentially go 7-1 over their last 8 games for the tie-breaker to even matter (assuming that it takes 10 wins to get a wild card). If I were a betting man, I would never put my money on a 3-5 team to win 7 of their last 8 games, especially knowing that Philly still has to play NE, the Jets, at the Giants, at Dallas, and 3 other road games. So, even if we assume the Bears beat Philly, there is VERY little chance that a tie- breaker would even matter. However, I don’t think we can just assume the Bears beat Philly, no matter how bad we want them to. If the Bears lose to Philly, we gotta start hoping that Philly wins the East and for the Giants to start losing games. Thus, rooting for the Giants tomorrow would be like saying that there is a better chance of the Eagles losing to the Bears and then finishing out 7-1 than the chances of the Bears losing in Philly on Monday night. I agree that if the Bears beat Philly, then we gotta start rooting hard for the Giants (much like we are rooting for the Saints to win the South). But without that foresight, I think you gotta go with the probabilities and root for NE on Sunday. I really enjoyed both articles though, as I find myself constantly thinking about the NFC playoff picture. Will you be doing weekly follow-up articles as the playoff picture gets more clear?

by ChiTownSupremes on Nov 5, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, I will.

I think the problem I’m having is that the same argument you’re using against Philly then also falls on the Bears. I’ll buy your points against the Giants, but if the Eagles win, they still basically need to win at least 6 games, while hoping that the Giants don’t win 5.

Furthermore, should the Bears fall 4-4, they basically need to go 6-2, if not 7-1, to have a chance. At that point they’d be .500 in the conference going into the last half, and they still have tough games to go to. It’s exceptionally difficult to win more than 75% of your games, particularly when, well, you’re not that good.

I’m hard pressed to call this a “must win”, but it’s a “It would be particularly advantageous to win”

Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.

Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @KDoggers

by Kev H on Nov 5, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

I think we can afford 3 losses and still snag a wild card.

Whether we want the Giants to win or lose is dependent on if we can beat Philly, which I honestly think we will. It’s just that I think that the chances we lose to Philly are better than the eagles making a miraculous comeback. So, I will be rooting for the Giants tomorrow. I don’t think Philly is a must win, but we either need to beat Philly or the Lions. If we go 1-1 over the next 2 games, we will be at 5-4 and able to lose 2 more games and hopefully still get in. At that point the only teams that worry me are the Chargers and Packers. Hopefully, we can win one of those and it will make up for one of the easy games the Bears will inevitably be pissing down their legs.

by ChiTownSupremes on Nov 5, 2011 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Also...

Even if the same argument can be used against the Bears, we are talking about the Bears best chances of making the playoffs. So, even if you don’t think the Bears could come back after a loss against the eagles, then how the other NFC teams do is not important. The bears schedules much easier than the Eagles too.

by ChiTownSupremes on Nov 5, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions