Calm down people!!

The Bears lose a frustrating game that they shouldn't lose (usually a home game for whatever reason) every year.  Even in their Super Bowl run in '06, they were humiliated at home by the Miami Dolphins, who were no juggernaut.  Please keep in mind the following, perhaps after taking a few deep, cleansing breaths:

• The Chicago Bears are 8-4.
• The team they are fighting with for first place, the Green Bay Packers, are also 8-4.
• The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers play in 9 days.
• At Soldier Field, Chicago.
• If the Bears win their last 4 games (they will be favored in at least 3 of the 4), they will finish as the #2 seed in the NFC (provided the San Francisco 49ers lose to the New England Patriots). 
• That game is at New England, in 9 days.
• If you do the math, the Bears have a high probability of being the #2 seed in the NFC in 9 days.
• To hold that, they would need to beat the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions.
• Alshon Jeffery will be back this week, which will have an immense positive impact on the offense.
• Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.  That's all I'm going to say about that.
• Matt Forte is getting healthier.
• Gabe Carimi may actually know how to play Guard.
• Brian Urlacher will be back for the playoffs.  And next year. 

I'm going with the same prediction I had last time for Bears-Vikings, plus 3 for Minnesota since they're at home.  Bears 31 Vikes 16

The Hopeful Bears Fan is back!

Why are we football fans? There are a lot of potential answers, and while most of them have merit, the best response is simple: it can make us feel really good.  It makes us feel good to have a shared interest with our family, friends, coworkers, and community.  But more than that, it is an interest that is not pre-ordained (and thus completely unpredictable), has a fairly simple and objective outcome,  and is something that most of us have at least a small amount of experience doing (which makes it relatable).

So, why then, is there so much negativity surrounding being a fan?  Why do newspapers, sports radio, and television draw on the negative aspects of the sport more than the positive?  Why are people like Skip Bayless, Jay Mariotti, Tony Kornheiser, and Steve Rosenbloom gainfully employed?  What makes people feel good about trashing their team?  I understand that it can be a defense mechanism, and that Chicagoans in particular are on their guard (especially Cubs fans such as yours truly).  But why, when we have a 7-3 team in the middle of a potential playoff and Super Bowl run, does everyone jump ship?  Isn't week 12, when our team is tied for first place and about to take on a tough divisional rival, what we live for as fans?  Shouldn't Chicago, and thus the people covering the team, be filled with joyous anticipation for tomorrow?

Well, I am.  I see a decisive Bears victory tomorrow, and here's why:

• Motivation. The Bears defense is focused and determined to prove that they are not what we saw in San Francisco.  This defense is Super Bowl-ready, and the veterans know that the window is closing.
• History.  Even when the Bears have had awful teams, they usually manage to take care of business against Minnesota at home.
• Injuries.  Jay Cutler is back and Percy Harvin is out.
• Coaching.  Lovie Smith knows how to reach this team, and this has lead to many victories following disappointing losses.
• Talent.  The Bears outclass the Vikings at QB, WR, DE, DT, LB, CB, and S.  Not to mention Special Teams.

It's good to be back.  If you have a choice between being positive and being negative, as a fan, doesn't it just make you feel good to be positive?  Bears 31 Vikings 13