Chicago Bears' Best Possible Scenarios in Week 17 Matchup vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Chicago Bears began the 2014 season with Super Bowl aspirations. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Now, nearly 17 weeks later, the only thing the Bears have to gain with one game to play is draft position.

The Bears travel to Minnesota this week to face the Vikings in a matchup that contains zero playoff implications. If the powers that be inside Halas Hall were smart, they’d find a way to forfeit this game just to ensure that no more damage is done before the regular season ends.

These next few weeks figure to be hectic times for the Bears. The entire coaching staff, led by head coach Marc Trestman, is on the hot seat, one would think. The future of the franchise quarterback is very much up in the air. All the while the fans want blood for what’s transpired this season.

The last thing anyone within the Bears organization wants is for the status quo to somehow worsen by the time Black Monday hits one day after the regular season concludes.

With that in mind, let’s review a few of the best possible outcomes for Sunday’s game against quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings:

No More Injuries

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

So far in 2014, the Bears have lost the following key players for the season: cornerback Charles Tillman (triceps), linebacker Lance Briggs (groin), defensive end Lamarr Houston (ACL), defensive end Willie Young (Achilles), linebacker D.J. Williams (neck), left guard Matt Slauson (pec), wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ribs/lung) and, most recently, quarterback Jimmy Clausen (concussion).

While these injuries are not the only reason for the Bears’ 5-10 record, it’s hard not to look at that lengthy list of missing starters and not shake your head in amazement. It’s easy to forget how many players have been missing for good-sized chunks of the season. What’s done is done.

The only thing the Bears can do now is try to keep all of the important players healthy so no one misses the beginning of the offseason program, which could be the first time the team works with a new head coach, given the coaching staff is jettisoned in the coming days/weeks.

A Happy Jay Cutler When the Clock Strikes Zero

David Goldman/Associated Press

Jay Cutler has had a rough couple of weeks.

It started when offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer broke trust by being a “source” for the media on Cutler’s struggles. Less than one week later, Trestman benched Cutler in favor of Clausen. Now, days later, Cutler once again is the starting quarterback after Clausen suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions.

It’s hard to know how engaged Cutler will be when he takes the field in Minnesota. It’s unlikely he will be wanting to play hard for Trestman or Kromer, who in the past month have both ruined their relationships with the quarterback.

If Cutler can finish the game with a smile on his face, then he more than likely didn’t suffer any sort of injury, which is all the Bears can ask for.

There’s no need for Cutler to even be playing in a game that only ends positively for the Bears if they lose.

Say what you want about Cutler, but the Bears need him to be healthy when the offseason begins. Whether he’s under center next season in Chicago or elsewhere, Cutler is the Bears’ most valuable player.

Losing for Better Draft Position

USA TODAY Sports

Chicago doesn't just have one or two needs to address in the offseason; there are more like five or six areas the Bears need to bolster. We’ll get into those areas another time.

If the Bears win, they will pick somewhere between eighth and 11th overall. If the Bears lose, they likely will be selecting seventh overall. Draft position always matters, but it matters this season even more for the Bears.

If they hope to lure a big-name head coach to Chicago, given the current coaching staff is sent packing, then losing for draft position needs to be a priority.