Chicago Bears: 5 NFC Championship Over/Under Predictions

As you can see, Chris Farley is one of my favorite human beings of all time.

Anyway, when the Packers and Bears meet for this season's NFC Championship, it will only be the second post-season meeting in this historic rivalry.

The first dates back to December 14th, 1941 in which the Bears won 33-14.

Now as for Chicago's lone Super Bowl championship, this season marks the 25h anniversary of the '85 Bears.

With that being said, could Saturday Night Live PUHHH-lease bring back the famous skit "Superfans."

This Sunday the new "Monsters of the Midway" are playing in arguably the most important game of this rivalry; So can we watch the film from that 1941 playoff game?

Also, no segue; Here are the over/under predictions for "Daaaa Bears!"

1. Over/Under .5 Return TDs For Devin Hester

In the first meeting, Hester took one back to the house.

In the second meeting during Week 17 (to prevent the Packers from playoff contention) Hester failed to return a punt back for a TD.

On the year, he has amassed 564 punt return yards and 427 kick return yards; But has not returned a kickoff back for a TD since 2007.

You have to also get the feeling that Hester is going to raise his level of play.

Think back to the 2006 postseason where he returned the opening KO back for a TD in Super Bowl XLI; When he is challenged he delivers.

PREDICTION: Over .5 Return TDs

2. Over/Under 100 Rushing Yards For Bears RBs

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Running back Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears attempts to jump into the endzone but is stopped short in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2

I hate to say it, but for the RBs in the NFL that gain only just over 1,000 yards on the year doesn't seem as significant as it use to.

But then again, it all depends on how many games they played in as well as how many carries they were given.

Chicago RB Matt Forte gained 1,069 yards on 237 attempts for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. The misleading stat would be that he only averaged 66.8 yards per game, which is rather low if you think about it.

But say what you want, I'll take someone who can get me 4.5 yards with each carry anytime.

As for fellow Brahma Bull Chester Taylor, only 267 yards on 112 attempts averaging only 2.4 yards per carry. Not nearly as productive, but then again Forte is the main back, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz loves to throw the rock.

Together they average about 83.5 yards per game, but the Packer rush D allows 114 per game ranking them in the bottom half in the NFL.

PREDICTION: Over 100 yards rushing for Bears' RBs

3. Over/Under 3.5 Players Have 3 or More Receptions

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Johnny Knox #13 of the Chicago Bears runs for a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

By the end of the regular season, QB Jay Cutler totaled 3,274 yards passing with 23 TDs and a 60.4 completion percentage.

Not only is this improvement from last season, but it is also a display of how quickly Mike Martz can improve a player.

The more impressive stat? Five different players caught more than 40 passes for 20 TDs.

When the rock is spread out this much during the season, you can see why Chicago is a rather complete team.

Then last Saturday against Seattle, Cutler went 15 of 28 for 261 yards and two TDs.

Two players had three catches (Olsen and Forte) and Knox had four. This is how you put up 35 points in the playoffs.

PREDICTION: Over 3.5 Players having three of more receptions

4. Over/Under 194.5 Passing Yards From Jay Cutler

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears runs out of the tunnel during player introductions before taking on the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Ill

This is one of the more interesting stats I did research on.

In the regular season Jay Cutler averaged 194.8 yards passing per game, and the Packer D allowed 194.2 yards passing per game.

Really? Only a .6 differential after a full season! What are the chances.

Now looking at the playoffs, Cutler threw for 274 yards in the W over Seattle.

Green Bay's pass D, however, allowed 292 yards from Philly QB Mike Vick; But bounced back impressively by limiting Atlanta's Matty Ice to only 186 yards.

Not to mention Green Bay picked off Mike Vick once, and Matt Ryan twice (and returned one for a TD).

When both teams faced off in the regular season Cutler threw for 221 in the first game, but only 168 in the second game.

And guess what his average was for each game? 194.5! 194 is definitely the trend here, which is why I had to discuss it.

PREDICTION: Under 194.5 Passing Yards for Jay Cutler

5. Over/Under 2.5 Sacks For Bears' Defense

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Members of the Chicago Bear defense including (L-R) Julius Peppers #90, Lance Briggs #55, Marcus Harrison #99, Matt Toeaina #75 and Israel Idonije #71 await the start of play against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Novembe

As impressive as Chicago's rush D has been all year (finished second in only allowing 90.1 yards per game), the pass D has been a bit lackluster (which allows 224 yards per game).

Part of this can be contributed to a under-performing pass rush.

Leading the team with eight sacks are defensive linemen Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije.

However, they only rank 29th in the league, and did not record a sack against the Seahawks.

As a unit, the legendary 46 defense ranks 17th in the league in sacks (34), averaging just over two per game this season.

PREDICTION: Under 2.5 Sacks