Those with white hair will remember the famous sketch from “Saturday Night Live”, the American Saturday night comedy show. The imitation of coach Mike Ditka and the phrase “Da Bears” became an endless catchphrase. They were the golden years of Chicago, those of the “46 defense”, the scheme created by Buddy Ryan, those of the Super Bowl won with Refrigerator Perry against the Patriots at the Superdome in 1986. Those of Walter Sweetness Payton. No, these Bears are not even distant relatives of that team, but having reached the thirteenth day out of the 18 on the calendar (bye included) and Chicago leading the NFC, the time has come to take them seriously.
The victory at home in Philadelphia at least legitimized their superiority. There is a problem in this season without owners: we continue to belittle a team’s balance sheet by looking at who they beat. True, a calendar that puts you up against certain teams is one thing, it’s another to have you challenge the worst. But, first: one cannot help but take the field against those who that same calendar has chosen as opponents. Second: but are we so sure that it has such an impact? Because by dint of saying, oh well, but they beat the Titans, Jets, Giants and so on, just to name a few of the worst, then comes the time they beat the Eagles and you’re left stunned. Caleb Williams is confused, but for now he’s doing enough to win. Especially if D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai run like that.
In part this speech was also used to belittle the Patriots’ season (right Cam Newton?). And up to a certain point it could even hold up. But now that they’re 11-2 and have won 10 in a row after their Monday Night win over the Giants, it’s hard to look the other way. Especially with this Drake Maye, currently the favorite for the MVP title according to the bookmakers. With New York they played their best game of the season, despite an offensive line that was missing starting tackles and left guard (Will Campbell and Jared Wilson), as well as two defenders in Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga. Now the long-awaited bye has finally arrived, during which they will be able to recover from some injuries and better prepare for the home match with Buffalo which could arithmetically give them the divisional crown. Amazing how Mike Vrabel has turned them inside out in just a few months.
We were waiting for them at the gate. They didn’t pass it. We’re talking about the Colts, beaten at home by the Texans, second defeat in a row, and sucked into the vortex of the AFC South, where the Jags with the victory over the Rams are now 8-4 like Indy, with Houston 7-5 but making a great comeback. The latter seem to be the favorites for the division. The Colts’ schedule is very tough: Jacksonville twice, Seattle and Texans away, 49ers at home. And there’s the Daniel Jones factor: he’s playing with a microfracture of a fibula that inevitably makes him one-dimensional. Another bluff called: the Steelers. Ok, Aaron Rodgers’ injury took its toll. That quarter with Mason Rudolph on the field was enough to cause disasters to revive the Bills, but it seems increasingly likely that Mike Tomlin this time will not end the season with a score above 50% for the first time in 18 years, stopping 3 from Tom Landry’s record and one from Belichick. Separate discussion for Chiefs and Ravens. Perhaps they are given more credit for the recent past, but seeing them play and thinking that – assuming they get there – they will make their way into the playoffs, is probably a gamble (we’ll get back to this at the end…). Even worse the Lions. Having lost the two coordinators was perhaps too heavy a blow. The fact is that the season will be played against Dallas on Thursday. Both, however. A knockout could be lethal. And let’s put the Eagles in this soup. In the last 8 they are 4-4. It is more than legitimate to have serious doubts.
Quietly, the Broncos are one step away (which they will take by beating the Raiders on Sunday) from returning to the No. 1 seed in the AFC (they are 10-2, with New England 11-2). Bo Nix, as mentioned for Caleb Williams, doesn’t inspire, but with that defense, especially now that Patrick Surtain has recovered, you just need to not make mistakes to win. Of course, they risked a lot with Washington, especially taking into account that Marcus Mariota was there and not Jayden Daniels, but what matters is the victory. In addition to Vegas, from here to the end they will play with the Packers and Jags at home, in KC, and then close in Denver with the Chargers (Justin Herbert underwent surgery on his left hand, but it is not certain that he will miss Monday Night in Phila). Not a downward calendar. After the bye, the Pats will have the Bills at home, the Ravens and Jets away, and the Dolphins at Foxboro. Slight advantage New England.
Worth a look
