Why I'm a Bears fan, and what they need to do the rest of the way...

The bye week gives every team, and for that matter, every fan, time to stop for a moment and reflect.  After a disappointing loss to the Redskins on Sunday, I thought it was a good time to remind myself why I am (and always will be) a fan of the Chicago Bears.  Hopefully some of these will ring true and prompt you to come up with your own reasons as we prepare for the rest of this exciting NFL season:

• I started reading the Chicago Tribune sports page when I was about 4, and immediately gravitated to Bears news (Bob Verdi, Bernie Lincicome, and Don Pierson were some of my favorites)
• My dad (aka Jim McMahon) used to throw me (aka Willie Gault) touchdown passes in the driveway and/or backyard
• I received a Bears football with all of the 1990 division-winning Bears signatures on it shortly after learning I had type-1 Diabetes (a gift from my parents)
• Listening to former Bears guard Jay Leewenburg (who also had type-1 Diabetes) speak at Evanston Hospital and tell me how I could accomplish anything I wanted, even play pro football someday
• Scouting the Bears (as a fan) at Bourbonnais--feeling that NFL fever start to well-up in the heat of August
• Nothing on television equals the experience of watching your team play.  I was literally SCREAMING at the television on Sunday for Lovie to throw his challenge flag on the Cutler fumble at the goalline.  What else on tv can cause such a visceral reaction?
• Talking to my brother (who lives 3 hours from me) at least 3 times every Sunday on the phone to dissect the Bears game
• The fact that it led me to fantasy football, which is just an awesome time when you are a competitive person
• The fact that my wife watches every game with me and gets into it almost as much as I do--we even have our own "Bear Down" touchdown dance.  She also was able to wrangle me a personalized Brian Urlacher autographed picture--sweet.
• The fact that this is such a "holiday" sport--nothing compliments Thanksgiving like football (and I like my Bears Christmas ornaments too).
• Moments like the one earlier this year at the Seahawks game at Soldier Field, in which a member of the armed forces finally got his due with a standing ovation.  I could see the tears in his eyes from the 400-level.  
• Jet fly-overs at the stadium
• The playoff games in 2006--after Robbie Gould hit his 48 yarder in overtime I was a part of a 60,000-strong group hug.  And the Saints game was pure magic and catharsis--it even snowed at the end as Urlacher held the George Halas trophy aloft.
• Mainly, I'm a fan for the thrill of the chase for the championship.  I realize that every year the Bears won't win it all--but what I ask for is that they are competitive to the end, so that I can get full enjoyment out of the 16 regular season games and beyond.  Here is how I'm hopeful that the Bears can get there this year:
• Remaining games (9): 
• @Buffalo (W)--Plain and simple, a must win.  Won't be as easy as it looked a few weeks ago though as the Bills offense is clicking with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm.
• Minnesota (W)--Need to take care of business at home against the Vikings, who have been underwhelming this year and have an aching Favre who may not even play (injury or may possible suspension)
• @Miami (L)--Tough game on the road against a rising Miami team.  Bears could come out with the win if they make a big play or two on special teams (see Miami vs. New England game from earlier this year)
• Philadelphia (W)--Bears have always matched up well against Vick.  This will be the game they have to win to make up for the loss to the Redskins.
• @Detroit (W)--Need to have it as the last 4 games are rough.  Cutler has played pretty well against the Lions in his time with the Bears thus far.
• New England (L)--Tom Brady and Bill Belichek are too much to handle--even at home.  This team is just too smart and knows how to win.  The Bears have not been able to cash in on their opportunities thus far.  This is winnable (being at home helps) but I can't call it a win at this point 
• @Minnesota (W)--A game the Bears will have to have--and I think the Vikings may be out of it by this point the way they are going.  Won't be easy but the Bears will pull out their first sweep of the Vikings in quite some time with a few big defensive plays and just enough from the offense. 
• New York Jets (W)--Call me crazy, but there is always one AFC team a year that the Bears aren't supposed to beat but end up beating (especially at home).  The Jets may have clinched by now as well.  The Bears will have to grind one out but I think they can--and I wouldn't rule out a few picks from the Sanchize. 
• @Green Bay (L)--This could be for the division, and I think the Packers will be ready at home for some payback.  If all goes as indicated above the Bears would probably have a spot clinched and might not have as much to play for as the Pack do.

This is what the Bears will have to do to make the tournament (10-6 will GUARANTEE a playoff spot in the weak NFC this year).  The Hopeful Bears Fan thinks it can be done, and I hope you do too.  If you don't at least agree that there is a chance, then I hope you are at least getting something out of being a fan and watching the games this year (maybe you have your own list and it doesn't include "the thrill of the chase for the championship").  To each their own. 

I'll be back early next week with an update on the playoff chase and a more in depth preview of Bears vs. Bills.  Enjoy your time off my Bears brethren and come back refreshed and ready to go on November 7th!

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