It is really unlikely the Rams will lose on Sunday vs. SF.
I think the Bears should rest their starters on Sunday and basically intentionally try to lose the game.
a) If the Bears win and Eagles win, then the Vikings would be out, and the Bears would most likely play the Eagles in the 1st playoff game. I'd still like the Bears in that one, however, I'd rather play the Vikings. They (Minnesota) are not that good, dome teams don't fare well in the cold weather, and Cousins is something like 4-25 all time vs. teams with a winning record. Plus the Bears have already beaten MIN at home.
b) The Vikings are a hard/tough team, and even play dirty in my opinion. Case in point the late hit by Harrison Smith that made Trubisky miss two games. If the Bears play the starters, and especially if we start out hot and take the lead, the Vikings could get frustrated and start going after key players like Trubisky, Cohen, Mack, etc.. Plus It is already on tape from the 49ers game that the Bears will react on the sidelines if there is an incident, and that could cause a Bears player(s) to get injured or suspended for the playoffs.
c) If the Bears go out on Sunday with the starters and use the regular plays, that just puts more stuff out there on film/tape, and it gives the playoff opponent more to look at scouting wise. This is especially true if the Vikings do win, because then the two teams would play one another in the 1st playoff game and that would just be even more of an advantage with the two games back-to-back as well as the game previously played at Soldier Field.
d) Yes I would rather get the # 2 seed and have the home field advantage and bye week. The Bears had the earliest bye week out of NFL team, and could probably use the rest/recovery. However, again it is 95% unlikely that both the Bears will win @ Minnesota AND the Rams will lose vs. SF. Let's just call it a day at 11-5 record, end the Vikings season in playoff Game # 1, and then take our chances in the Divisional Round @ LA Rams. We have already beaten the Rams before, and I believe we can do it again even on the road. There are so many Chicagoans living in LA/SoCal/West Coast that the crowd would be over 50% Bears fans....
Thoughts? What else am I missing? I am confident either way because I believe if the Bears are the # 3 seed they can beat Minnesota or Philadelphia. Seattle is another matter, because they have a good team and Wilson could win on the road. However, it is 99% sure the Seahawks will beat Arizona in the final game of the season and secure the # 5 seed, so unless the Rams lose and the Bears win Sunday, the 1st playoff game will be Bears vs. Vikings or Eagles.
Another thing too. I don't want to play Philly. They are the Super Bowl Champions. Plus, like Nagy, Doug Pederson also comes from the Andy Reid coaching tree, and since the two coaches are so close, I think other than Reid, Pederson would have the best chance of knowing what is in Nagy's mind and how to defend/beat it... Our CBs, especially Prince, are the weak links. Yes, I know Fuller made the Pro Bowl, but he struggles against elite and big/tall receivers like Alshon for example. Golden Tate has always been a Bears killer, Agholor is quality as well. And Foles is on a hot streak now too.
Bears vs. Eagles would be one heck of a game entertainment and strategy-wise, similar to the heavyweight title fight feel of the Bears vs. Rams. I just don't want to see it... bring on the Vikings and let's end their season at Soldier Field.
Thoughts??
