Chicago Bears: Could They Shock The World and Win The Super Bowl?

Ask people who will survive the NFC to get to the Super Bowl and you'll hear about Atlanta or Green Bay or Philadelphia but you won't hear many talk about Chicago. In fact, the Green Bay packers, who have the lowest seed in the NFC and would have to win every game on the road, are being given the same odds as the second-seeded Bears. 

It's hard to think of a team that had a first round bye who has been given less respect or chance than the Bears have. Their offensive line is problematic, Jay Cutler is turnover prone, and so on and so forth. All of these things were true all season, and yet the Bears managed to actually play their way into the second seed, but that doesn't seem to matter. 

In fact, it would probably come as a shock if the Bears won their way through the NFC side of the bracket. The chances are better than you might think though. Following is a team-by-team slideshow of why the Bears can beat each and every team in the NFC side of the playoffs. 

Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons waits for a play call against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Falcons are the top seed in the NFC with a record of 13-3. They boast the conference's second-best offense and third-best defense. What might be surprising though to some is that while Chicago has gotten a rap for not "beating anyone" the Bears strength of schedule is actually harder than the Falcons. 

While the Falcons have beaten some good teams, like the Ravens, the Saints and the Packers, they've struggled against two of the three division champs faced: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The other, Seattle doesn't count for much. Even against the Ravens, Saints and Packers, the wins were obtained in the final seconds. 

Furthermore, when they had the opportunity to clinch the division against the Super Bowl champs on their own field, they failed to do so. 

In their three losses their opponents have had stout defenses. The Bears have one of the NFL's best. While Matty Ice and the gang will be favored, it's not impossible or unthinkable that the Bears could pull of the upset in Atlanta. 

Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Both times the Bears faced the Packers this year, they were given little to no chance of winning. They pulled off the upset at home, and came very near to doing it again on the road when they had nothing to play for. If they play again, they will be playing to go to the Super Bowl. Since Green Bay has the lowest seed, the only way they will play one another is for the NFC Championship. 

They have established that they know how to contain Rodgers. They have established that they can play even with the Packers. While Packers fans might shirk from that reality, the reality has been established. The Bears, not the Packers are the NFC champs. 

For the Packers to get to Soldier Field, they will first have to win in Philadelphia then in Atlanta and then come to Chicago. This follows their back-to-back-to-back wins against the Giants, Patriots and Bears, in which they won two of three to earn their way into the playoffs. 

That's a lot of tough football six weeks in a row, particularly since their last three would all be on the road. If the Packers make it to the Super Bowl, they will have earned it. The Bears will be a lot fresher, having their week off this week and being able to play at home. Given this, the Bears should have the edge on the Packers having played them evenly through two match ups already. 

New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints could play the Bears in either the second round or the conference championship game. If the Saints win and the Packers win, they would play in the second round. If they win and the Eagles win, they would meet in the finals, provided of course they both win their respective games.

The Saints have had a tendency to turn the ball over this year, and when they have, they've lost. In all but one of their losses the Saints have at least three turnovers. The Bears defense has forced more turnovers than any team in the playoffs. 

If the two teams play, it will be in Soldier Field, in the cold, an element which Chicago is much more used to than the Saints. If they can press Drew Brees and force him to force passes, they could generate a lot of turnovers in the colder weather. The Bears would actually stand a very good chance of beating the reigning champs at home. 

Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

If the Eagles come to Chicago it will be in the second round. I believe that history has a good chance to repeat itself if they do. 

It wasn't an anomaly when the Bears beat the Eagles, as much as some have made it out to be. The Bears have a fantastic front four, and are able to get into the backfield without blitzing. As a result they were able to contain Vick from doing a lot of damage with his running through most of the game. 

They were also able to free up their secondary to cover downfield and prevent the Eagles from getting the big play which has been the Eagles staple all season long. In fact through the first three quarters the Eagles only managed 200 yards of total offense, and it was only near the end of the game when the Bears relaxed their defense that the Eagles were able to get some big plays late and make the final score closer than the game really was. 

It's hard to believe that a hobbled Vick would have more success than the healthy Vick did. The Bears would have a great chance to beat Vick and the Eagles coming off a week's rest at home. 

Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Running back Justin Forsett #20 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes with the ball against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

If the Bears play the Seahawks it could be in either round. If both the Seahawks and Eagles win then it would be for the conference, if the Seahawks and Pack win, it would be in the second round. 

Either way, it would be hard to believe that Seattle even got there. If they did it would be even harder to believe that they could maintain such an emotional high three weeks in a row as they started their playoffs for all intents and purposes last Sunday night. 

It's just hard to believe that the Bears would let the Seahawks slide past them a second time if they play a second time I think the Bears would come out angry, and wanting redemption for the season's earlier embarrassment. The chances of a Bears win against Seattle would be very high. 

Super Bowl XLV

The best team doesn't always win the Super Bowl and if anyone knows that it's the Patriots. They've won when they weren't and they've lost when they were. While they are the favorites, it's no guarantee they'll get there. 

The Bears are only two wins away from there, and if they get there, who's to say they can't win? They have an elite defense, and when you do, you don't need an elite offense to win. If Cutler and Forte can play as well as they are capable of playing two weeks in a row, they could get there. 

If they get there, who's to say they can't win? Don't count out the Bears. They haven't gone into hibernation for the offseason yet.