Wow, this is just about it. I will cover the play-offs, hoping DA BEARS are in it to WIN it. I will cover the Super Bowl too. That would be a dream come true for DA BEARS to be in the SB, haven't been in one since 1985. Well, I hope you all enjoyed my updates, I truly enjoyed writing them weekly. Stay tuned for the Playoffs and Superbowl.  No one can stop my dreams! 

GO BEARS!!!!!!

MNF: 12/16/2013

DETROIT LIONS VS. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Man, I have had not had this much cooperation from 

the Lions in years and the BEARS are NOT taking advantage. Lions threw us a life line in this game, losing to the Ravens 18-16. They get the lead in the Division and then lose a game while we win one, tit for tat. Stafford threw 3 interceptions in this game and just misfiring on several easy passes. The Lions had 8 penalties for 89 yds. The let a late lead slip away. They had a 1pt lead with a little over 2 minutes left in the game. They allowed QB J. Flacco to move his team down the field and set up an unbelievable 61yd, winning FG. This was their 4th loss in their last 5 games. Calvin Johnson had butter fingers, missing a few key catches. Speaking of the Ravens, they're in great shape despite some uneven performances at the start of the season. All the Ravens have to do is win out and going on pass experience, they have been known to pull out some games they should have lost. The Ravens did get away with a hold in the end zone, it was clearly pass interference but the Zebra's have been blowing calls all year, so what else is new?  I am not sure there are too many teams standing in line saying, "let's play the Ravens, it's an easy win." They may be sent home packing. Thank you Baltimore for one more loss for the lions. Flacco threw for 22yds & 0 TD's, but won just the same. James had 6 receptions for 80yds. Stafford threw for 235yds, 1 TD & 3 interceptions. Bush had 17 carries for 86yds & 1 TD. Johnson had 6 receptions for 98 yds.

TNF: 12/19/2013: 

No game was played this night.  I am guessing it's over and done for TNF.

MNF: 12/23/2013: SAN FRANCISCO 49'ERS VS. ATLANTA FALCONS

If I am not mistaken, this is the last MNF game. The 49'ers sealed their postseason berth in a ceremonious regular-season farewell for Candlestick Park. Bowman returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown with 1:10 remaining, and the 49ers clinched a playoff spot with a wild 34-24 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night in the likely final game at The Stick. 

 Matt Ryan threw a 39yd TD pass to R. White with 8:34 left in the game and a 2yd score to Tony Gonzalez with 2:09 left as the Falcons made things interesting until the very end. The 49'ers used a big 2nd half to clinch a 3rd straight playoff season and 5th straight victory.  They put 169yds up in the 3rd Qtr after only getting 113 in the 1st half.  That kept the crowd quiet for a bit.San Francisco still has a slim chance at winning a third consecutive NFC West crown and earning a first-round bye if St. Louis wins at Seattle and the 49ers beat Arizona on the road. They can win the NFC's top seed with the same scenario, plus a Carolina loss at Atlanta. Good luck with that Atlanta, I don't think they are going to help you SF. Kap threw for 197yds and 1 TD and added 6 carries for 51yds for a TD. Gore had 21 carries for 97yds & 1 TD. Crabtree had 5 receptions for 102yds.  Boldin brought it home with 6 receptions for 72yds & 1 TD. Matt Ryan threw for 348yds, 2 TD's & 2 interceptions. Jackson had 16 carries for 53yds & 1 TD. White added an impressive 12 receptions for 141yds & 1 TD. 


NFC NORTH:

CHICAGO BEARS: 8-7:

Man, to say that we were beat down, walked over, bull-dozed is putting it lightly. My brother Chris IM'ed me and said, "my butt hurts" I said "mines too, probably from the Eagles having their cleats up our A#$% all night long. Yes, that was the reason. It was so terrible, I felt like I was in labor, the pain of watching that game was just too much. I kept saying, OK, we are going to get it together now. Every time I said that, Philly scored or stopped us dead in our tracks. By the end of the 3rd Qtr. I was laughing like a mad man. We barely looked like an efficient college team let alone a professional NFL team. I am sure by now you know I am talking about the 54-11 beating bestowed upon the BEARS by the Eagles.  If memory serves me correctly, that might be the worst beating of the season. 

I know the Broncos beat the Titans 51-28 a few weeks ago, so I am guessing this was the worst. 

I really don't know what else to say, we were given early Christmas Presents by the Lions & the Packers and we did NOTHING to thank them. I am sure they were laughing their butts off. Then, the thing that pissed me off, they put McCown in, what the hell was he going to do at that point? Jay wasn't man enough to take this beating on his own? The were Eagles flying pass us like they were on the field by themselves, racking up a total 514 yards. Hester getting the ball ripped, at least one interception for a TD. You name it, we got it shoved down our throats in all forms. All I know is that Sunday against the Packers, it's win, tie or go home, I don't want to go home just yet, we have to leave that team behind that played the Eagles and come in and play ball Sunday. The Packers are not going to give it to us and I KNOW that Rodgers is coming back. As of right now, they said they will announce it before Friday. PLEASE, you think he ain't coming for us, we put him out for at least 1/2 the season and this is for the Division Title. Whoever thinks he is not coming back, you don't know Rodgers. Cutler threw for 222yds, 1 TD, 1 interception & 5 sacks. N. Foles threw for 230yds, 2 TD's & 2 sacks. L. McCoy had 18 carries for 133 yds & 2 TD's. Brown had 9 carries for 115yds & 1 TD. Celek & Cooper had a little under 60yds receiving, but both had 1 TD each. The throbbing in my head is back, I'm done on this one. 

Green Bay Packers: 7-7-1:

Again, we are given a gift this Sunday before Christmas. The Packers lost to the Steelers, 38-31. With this win, believe it or not, the Steelers are still in the playoff chase. It's a long shot but the steelers, after starting 0-4 this season, are still mathematically in the hunt for an AFC wild-card spot. They need a lot of help. (you guys KNOW I read that in an article, mathematically, lol)  LeVon Bell scored a 1-yd TD with 1:28 left & the The Steelers withstood Green Bay's last throw into the end zone that was incomplete to end the game. This loss meant that GB needed Chicago to lose to Philly and that we did, miserably. So now we gotta fight with them for the Division and to stay alive on Sunday. Big Ben threw for 167yds & 2 TD's. He also had 1 carry for 13yds & 1 TD. L. Bell had 26 carries for 124yds & 1 TD. A. Brown threw in 6 receptions for 105yds. M. Flynn threw for 232 yds & 1 TD. E. Lacey had 15 carries for 84yds & 2 TD's. Lacey later left the game with a sprained ankle. I hope he heels by Sunday after next, him and Rodgers, LOL. UPDATE: RODGERS TO PLAY AGAINST THE BEARS SUNDAY. A BLIND MAN COULD SEE THAT COMING!

Detroit Lions: 7-8:
They did it again, had a lead, dancing in the end zone and BAM, they lost to the N.Y. Giants, 23-20 in OT. Again, I was like, man, Detroit is going to win, I turned the channel. But then I'm watching another game and all of a sudden I see that they have gone into OT. I was like yes, please lose and lose they did. The GREAT thing about their loss, the are no longer in playoff contention. The Lions were constantly booed by THEIR fans. The Fans were very vocal when the team left the field trailing 13-3 at the half and again when Stafford threw a pick-six that let the Giants tie the game with just under 5 minutes to play. Coach Schwartz called out the fans, yelling at them. He said that the fans have been great for them, but they needed them on our side for OT. A few of his players agreed. Bush said that he knows the fans are angry, but it's harder on the players, we are human beings, not mannequins, it affects us. Many look at it as it being one of the biggest moments in his coaching career and Schwartz focused on the fans instead of his team. Even if it was for a few seconds, that's not something he should have done. It's over in the motor city. Stafford threw for 222yds. J. Bell had 20 carries for 91yds & 1 TD. J. Bell also added 10 receptions for 63yds. E. Manning threw for 256yds & 1 TD. J. Jernigan had 6 receptions for 80yds & 1 TD.  A pick-six? I didn't know what that was, sounded like a lottery thing to me.  This is what I read off Wikipedia. An interception is commonly referred to as an "INT" or a "pick", a shortened form of "picked off". An interception returned for a touchdown is commonly referred to as a "pick 6" because the resulting touchdown is worth 6 points. NEVER EVER heard of this before. You learn something new every single day.

Minnesota Vikings: 4-10-1:

They still didn't get the beat down the BEARS did, but they lost just the same. They are done anyway so who really cares. Dalton threw for 4 TD passes and linebacker V. Rey returned an interception 25yds for a score and the Bengals had another big day at home, beating the Vikings 42-14. Cincinnati won the AFC North with this win. A. Dalton threw for 366yds & 4 TD's. B. Green-Ellis had 12 carries for 24yds & 1 TD. A Green had 7 receptions for 97yds & 2 TD's. M. Cassel threw for 114yds & 1 TD. C. Patterson had 3 carries for 54yds & 1 TD. J. Wright added 1 reception for 36yds & 1 TD. 

NFC EAST:

Philadelphia Eagles: 9-6:

What can I say, they beat the crap out of the BEARS, 54-11. Read about it in the BEARS game recap. They have a show-down scheduled with Dallas this coming Sunday for the Division title. 

Dallas Cowboys: 8-7:

The Cowboys took on the low team on the division pole and almost lost it. They pulled this one out, 24-23. They barely got past the Redskins. By the end of the 1st half, the score was 14-6, not to much to hang your cleats up on. Then the nightmare came for the Cowboys. they were outscored by the Redskins, 14-0 in the 3rd Qtr, giving the Redskins the edge, 20-14. I know the coach on down was shaking in their cowboy boots by the end of the 3rd. In the 4th Qtr, the Cowboys played for keeps, outscoring Washington, 10-3. Romo went to work, throwing a 10yd TD pass to D. Murray on 4th down with 1:08 remaining. Giving Dallas the win. After a 1pt meltdown loss to the GB Packers in the previous week, the Cowboys nearly pulled a repeat, lowing a 2nd half lead after 2 turnovers on back to back drives. Dallas snapped a 2 game skid as well as a 4game losing streak for the month of December. They are now in a winner-take-all regular season finale against the Eagles nest week for the NFC East title. I will be checking this one out. Romo threw for 226 yds & 2 TD's. D. Murray had 22 carries for 96yds & 1 TD. D. Bryant had 4 carries for 73yds & 1 TD. K. Cousins threw for 197yds & 1 TD. A. Morris had 24 carries for 88yds & 1 TD. P. Garcon had 11 receptions for 144yds & 1 TD. If I am not mistaken, I do believe Tony Romo is OUT with a herniated disc and he may need surgery. J. Jones said they haven't decided yet. He is crazy if he plays, he may really get himself messed up. We will see. Not a definite no play yet. 

New York Giants: 6-9:

Read about the Giants, too little, too late win over the Detroit Lions, 23-20, in OT in the Giants game recap. 

Washington Redskins: 3-12:

Read about their loss to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-23 in the Cowboys game recap. 

NFC SOUTH:

Y-Carolina Panthers: 11-4:

I been saying it for the last few weeks and nobody listened. Carolina took over 1st place in the NFC South Sunday. I told the Saints to watch their backs. Cam Newton threw a 14yd TD pass to D. Hixon with 23 seconds left to lift the Carolina Panthers to 17-13 win over the Saints and clinch the team's first playoff berth since 2008. They can wrap up the NFC South and a 1st round bye in the playoffs with a win next Sunday at Atlanta. I think that is pretty much a given for them to beat ATL, but you neverrrr know. The Panthers intercepted Brees twice and sacked him 6 times to avenge a 31-13 loss 2 weeks ago. The Saints can still clinch a playoff berth if Arizona loses to Seattle. They MAY get their wish for that one. The Saints have lost 5 of their last 6 games away from the Super dome. Cam Newton threw for 181yds & 1 TD. De. Williams had 12 carries for 67yds & 1 TD. D. Brees threw for 281yds & 1 TD. J. Graham had 5 receptions for 73yds & 1 TD. 

New Orleans Saints: 10-5:

Read about their costly lost to the Panthers in that games recap. I told them the Panthers are coming, the Panthers are coming. They are here now. 

Atlanta Falcons: 4-11:

The Falcons lost to the S.F. 49'ers 34-24 on MNF: 12/23/13. That will be in WEEK 17 update. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-11:

The Buccaneers seems to have won all the games they are going to win this season. They lost Sunday to the St. Louis Rams, 23-13. Not that either team has anything on the line but finishing out the season. Robert Quinn had 3 sacks to break the franchise season record & take the NFL lead too, as St. Louis beat the Buccaneers on Sunday. The Rams won without left tackle Jake Long, who injured his knee on the first series. Coach Jeff Fisher believes Long tore a right knee ligament, adding, "We are anticipating the worst." Zac Stacy rushed for 104 yds on 33 carries and 1 TD. Two other rookies also had big games for the Rams. Stedman Bailey scored on a 27-yd reverse and Alec Ogletree forced 2 fumbles. The Bucs managed just 170 total yards, setting a season low for the second straight week.  Vincent Jackson had 5 catches for 98yds but Rainey was held to 37yds on 20 carries and 1 TD.  Glennon threw for 158yds minus 47yds on the sacks. Rams QB Clemens threw for 158yds.  

NFC WEST:

Y-Seattle Seahawks: 12-3:

I thought for sure that the Seahawks had this one but the Cardinals wasn't having any of that. Carson Palmers perfectly placed throw and a juggling catch by Michael Floyd kept the Cardinals in the playoff hunt for another week with a surprising 17-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks.  Palmer overcame 4 interceptions to find Floyd on a 31-yard TD with 2:13 left. Arizona won for the 7th time in 8 games and snapped the Seahawks, 14-game win streak. Carson Palmer said, "An ugly win is a win regardless of how it comes out." AMEN, I say that all the time. C. Palmer threw for 178yds, 1TD & 4 interceptions. Floyd had 1 reception for 31yds & 1 TD. R. Wilson threw for 108yds, 1TD & 1 interception in this losing effort. Lynch had 18 carriers for 71yds. Now WEEK 17 has meaning for Arizona. 

Y-San Francisco 49'ers: 11-4:

The 49'ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-24 on MNF: 12/23/13. You have already passed the games recap if you are reading this. 

Arizona Cardinals: 10-5:

Read about the "ugly win" as Carson Palmer called it, against the Seahawks, 17-10 in that game recap. 

St. Louis Rams: 7-8:

Read about the Rams win over the T B Buccaneers, 23-13 in that games recap. Just mosey on back up a couple of paragraphs. 

AFC NORTH:

Z-Cincinnati Bengals: 10-5:

Read about their division clinching win over the Vikings, 42-14 in Minnesota's game recap. 

Baltimore Ravens: 8-7:

Wow, the Ravens pull out a nice win against the Lions on MNF:12/16/13 and then turn around and lose pretty bad against the Patriots.  They didn't even put any points on the board until the 4th Qtr. While the Pats added anywhere from 3-21 pts in a Qtr. The Patriots put on a stellar performance, looking like a division winner. Which is what they are after winning this game. This was sweet revenge for the Pats as the defending SB Champs Ravens bounced them from the postseason last season. Logan Ryan had 2 interceptions, LeGarrette Blount scored twice and the playoff bound Patriots breezed to a 41-7 victory Sunday. It also put an end to the Raven's 4 game wining streak and putting the light out on their postseason hopes. New England took a 17-0 lead early in the 2nd Qtr and never let up. They forced 4 turnovers & had 4 sacks. Brady had 172yds & 1 TD. Blount had 16 carries for 76yds & 2 TD's. Edelman had 7 receptions for 77yds. Flacco threw for 260yds & had 2 interceptions. That's a wrap every body. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-8:

Read about their win against the GB Packers, 38-31 in the Packers game recap. The Steelers need to beat the Browns in Week 17, and they need the Dolphins, Ravens & Chargers to all lose to gain a spot in the playoffs. Good luck with that. 

Cleveland Browns: 4-11:

Read about their 24-13 loss to the N.Y. Jets in that games recap a few paragraphs below. 

AFC EAST:

Z-New England Patriots: 11-4:

Read about their AFC Division wining game against the Ravens, 41-7 in that games recap. 

Miami Dolphins: 8-7:

The Dolphins did it to themselves again. They gave up 7 sacks in their loss to the Buffalo Bills, 19-0.  They didn't even get on the score board. The Bills didn't have anything to lose after already being eliminated from playoff contention a week earlier. I guess they said they would go out with a bang. This snaps a 3 game winning streak for the Dolphins and puts them in the mix with 3 other teams for the AFC final playoff spot.  Baltimore, San Diego, and Pittsburgh. My vote is on Baltimore. 

The dolphins loss clinched the AFC East for the New England Patriots. 

Tannehill threw for 82yds and OUCH, was sacked 7 times. Moore stepped in and threw for 53yds and 2 interceptions. 

No other worthwhile stats for Miami. Lewis threw for 193yds and 1 TD. Jackson had 19 carries for 111yds & 1 TD. Spiller added 20 carries for 77yds. Woods brought up the end with 3 receptions for 70yds. 

New York Jets: 7-8:

In a game I surely thought Cleveland would win, they dropped the ball to the Jets, 24-13. Geno Smith threw for 2 TD's and runs for another in this win over the Browns. Rex Ryan said "I told you this teams on the climb, it's on the rise," It's a little too late for that Ryan.  The Jets took control with a drive of over 6 minutes capped by Smith running up the middle for a 17yd TD, his 5th rushing score, to make it a 24-13 game with 3:19 left. The Jets converted 4, 3rd down plays on the drive, including Smith's TD, the rest is history. The Browns QB J. Campbell was intercepted twice as they suffered their 6th straight loss. Still not sure if this win will save Rex Ryan's job, according to the writing's on the walls, he is in the hot seat. G. Smith threw for 214yds & 2 TD's. Ivory had 20 carries for 109yds. Kerley had 5 receptions for 70yds. Brown's QB Campbell threw for 178yds & 2 interceptions. Baker had 17 carries for 64yds & 1 TD. Gordon ended with 6 receptions for 97yds. 

Buffalo Bills: 6-9:

Read about their 6th win of the season over the Miami Dolphins, 23-21 in that games recap. 

AFC SOUTH:

Z-Indianapolis Colts: 10-5:

The Colts put the clamps on the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7.  The Colts didn't seem to be too worried that the Chiefs drew first blood. Little did the Chiefs know, that would be all they would get.  Luck picked apart the Chiefs defense, D. Brown had TD's running & receiving and the Colts didn't allow another point for the rest of the game. This game may have been a preview of an AFC wild-card game.  If Indy ends up as the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and the Chiefs assured of the 5th seed, the 2 teams would meet again in 2 weeks at Lucas Oil Stadium.  K.C. chances of winning the AFC West were dashed earlier Sunday when Denver beat Houston. Wow, that's a shocker, lol, like Houston had a chance. K.C. QB, Alex Smith fumbled once and was picked off twice. Knile Davis also fumbled the ball away. Add several key penalties and there you go, the chance for a comeback in this game, gone. The Colts didn't panic after the Chiefs scored their first & only TD. But from the looks of things on the field, it was K.C. in a panic state. Andrew Luck threw for 241yds & 1 TD. Brown had 10 carries for 79yds & 1 TD. Whalen had 7 receptions for 80yds & 1 TD. Geno Smith threw for 153yds, 1 interception and sacked 5 times. Charles had 13 carries for 106yds & 1 TD. 

Tennessee Titans: 6-9:

The Titans put a little more space between themselves and the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 20-16 win. It also made their W/L record better than the Jaguars too. This ended a 3 game losing streak for the Titans. Coach Mike Munchak said "The 2nd half was finally how we wanted to play," The Titans had lost 8 of 10 games since September. The Titans overcame a 10pt deficit in the 2nd half and held Jacksonville to 85yds after the break. The best work came on the ground where Shonin Greene & Chris Johnson combined for 181 yds. The key plays came from Nate Washington & the Defense. Munchak said, "We're not happy with this season, the best we could do is finish out the season by beating 2 division teams. We got one today, finally, and we'll be doing our best to get one at home next week." The Titans close out the season against the pitiful Texans, they can easily win this one and help Munchak's case. Just repeating what I read folks. Fitzpatrick threw for 181yds, 1 TD & 1 interceptions. He was put down 3 times in this game. Greene had 17 carries for 91yds & 1 TD. Washington added 6 receptions for 117yds & 1 TD. Nice work Washington. Henne threw for 237yds, 2 TD & 1 interceptions. Brown had 5 receptions for 71yds & 1 TD. Lewis ended the day with 4 receptions for 50yds & 1 TD. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-11:

Read about their loss to the Titans in the game recap, directly above. 

Houston Texans: 2-13:

Read about the Houston Texans all but predictable loss to the Denver Broncos, in the Denver's game recap. 

AFC WEST:

Z-Denver Broncos: 12-3:

Peyton and the crew wrapped up the Division with this win over the Houston Texans, 37-13. Did anybody expect anything else?  Peyton Manning sets TD mark as Broncos clinch the AFC West. Peyton regained the record with 51 TD's in a single season, taking it back from Tom Brady who set it in 2007 with 50 TD's in a single season. He threw for 400yds & 4 TD's, including 3 in the 4th Qtr to give Denver it's 3rd straight AFC West title.  In the meantime, the Texans added on to their pitiful season with their 13th loss. Manning did it on a 25yd pass to Julius Thomas with 4:28 left in the game. 2 1/2 minutes earlier, he tied the mark with a 20yd pass to Eric Decker. This time he was able to soak in the historic moment. "It was very special," he said.  "Very rarely during an NFL game do you get to have a moment like that."  He suspect that Brady will overtake him again one day, especially if the NFL moves to an 18-game regular season.

 The Broncos already had a spot in the playoffs, but their victory, combined with the Chiefs loss to Indy, gave them the Division crown.  Peyton threw for 400yds, 4 TD's & pretty much stayed on his feet for the whole game with 1 sack. Moreno had 11 carries for 76yds. Decker added 10 receptions for 131yds & 2 TD's, not bad for a days work. Schaub threw for 176 yds, 1 TD, 2 interceptions and put down on the ground 3 times. No other stats worth mentioning for the Texans.

Y-Kansas City Chiefs: 11-4:

Read about their loss to the Indianapolis colts, 23-7 in the Colts game recap. They could won against the Colts and been neck & neck with Denver. But Denver got the Divison now. Hey KC, you are still in the Playoffs. So all is not lost. 

San Diego Chargers: 8-7:

The Chargers handed the Raiders another loss, 26-13. This is a season I am sure the Oakland Raiders want to put behind them. The Chargers were scoreboard watchers during this game. The Chargers still had to do work themselves.  The Raiders helped them out with 12 penalties for 73yds. The Chargers  have won three straight games for the first time this season. The head into their final game still needing help. They have to beat Kansas City at home while needing Baltimore to lose at Cincinnati and Miami to lose at home to the

 New York Jets. I am not sure what the odds are on that, but I don't think they are going to pull it out against the Chiefs, unless the Chiefs played like they did last Sunday against the Colts. 

Rivers threw for 201yds with 1 TD and 1 interception. Mathews had 25 carries for 99yds & 1 TD. McGloin threw for 206yds & 1 interception. McFadden only had 8 yds on 4 carries but had a TD to this losing effort. Holmes added 5 carries for 71yds. 

"All three went our way today, including the one we had our control in," Rivers said. "Same boat next week. We need all three to go our way. The only one we can control is the one here against the Chiefs."

Oakland Raiders: 4-11:

Read about their expected loss to the Chargers in that game recap, right above. 

Note: Letters by teams names.
If there is an X by a teams name, it indicates they clinched a Playoff Berth. 
If there is a Z by a teams name, that team(s) has clinched their Division. 

If there is a 

Y by a teams name, that team(s) has clinched Wild Card.

If there is a *-by a teams name, that team(s) has clinched Division & Home field. 

*info taken from Sports Center website*

BEARS NOTES: 

• Robbie Gould gets 4-year contract extension from Bears.
• Earl Bennett might not play vs. Packers because of family matter.

I thought you may want to read this article by Hub Arkush. Pretty interesting and he breaks it down pretty clearly and to the point I might add. 

ARKUSH: Bears near bottom of playoff hopefuls. 

The winner-take-all showdown Sunday for the NFC North title between the Green Bay Packers and Bears in a renewal of the NFL’s oldest and best rivalry is a big deal.

And I believe the Bears are ­going to win.

So, now that that’s taken care of, what am I going to do with myself between now and Sunday? Mostly, I’ve been trying to figure out, as fun and exciting as all this is, how much does it really mean?

Does the fact that the Bears are in the playoffs with a win over the Packers make them a “playoff team”? Or are the Bears and Packers competing for the right to be the first home-team loser in the wild-card games?

Here’s the only easy answer. Of the nine NFC teams alive for or already in the playoffs — Seahawks, 49ers, Cardinals, Bears, Packers, Panthers, Saints, Cowboys and Eagles — the Cowboys are the worst.

The Cowboys are 1-6 in games against the other eight, including losses to the Bears and Packers in the last three weeks. Next up — or down, as the case may be — are the Packers and Bears.

The Packers are 1-3 against the remaining eight playoff contestants, while the Bears are 2-2. It is noteworthy that the Bears’ two wins came against the Cowboys and Packers.

The Packers rank fourth in ­offense and 26th in total defense, and are the second-worst playoff hopeful left in total point differential at 19th.

The Bears are eighth in total offense — surprisingly they’ve slipped to 18th in rushing — and 29th in defense, and of the nine NFC playoff contenders, they are dead last at 21st in the league in total point differential.

There should be little dispute that the Seahawks, Panthers and 49ers are the three best teams left — all have top-five defenses and they are second, fifth and third in total point differential.

The Seahawks are 4-2 vs. the other eight contenders, the Panthers 3-2 and the 49ers 3-3. It is worth noting the 49ers’ losses are to the Seahawks, Panthers, Colts and Saints, and the Seahawks have been stopped only by the Colts, 49ers and Cardinals.

The Saints came to Chicago and handled the Bears, and we know what happened in Philadelphia last Sunday. The Bears also have losses to the Rams, Redskins, Vikings and two to the Lions.

That leaves the Cardinals, who won’t be a playoff team unless they beat the 49ers and the Saints lose at home to the Bucs.

If I’m right and the Bears beat the Packers, their wild-card opponent will be the 49ers, Panthers, Saints or Cardinals. Which of those clubs do you like their chances against?

I believe the Eagles game was a bit of an aberration, just a bad outing, and the Eagles do have the best offense of any of the nine contenders. But if the Eagles’ defense handled the Bears like that, what would the defenses of the 49ers, Panthers or Cardinals do to them?

The Bears’ defense isn’t stopping anyone.

If the favorites all win, it will be the 49ers coming to town to start the playoffs.

A 9-7 rookie campaign with a wild-card game would be a great start for coach Marc Trestman, and a nice sophomore campaign for general manager Phil Emery.

But if it allows them to believe they are anything more than slightly better than average, or that they should sign Jay Cutler to a long-term deal at the going QB rate of $100 million or so, and anything but a complete rebuilding of the defense will suffice, it could be the worst thing that could happen to them.