Super Bowl Predictions: 10 Reasons Why The Chicago Bears Will Reach Dallas

The Chicago Bears vs. the Green Bay Packers. The NFL's greatest rivalry will add another chapter to its storied history this Sunday in the 2011 NFC Championship game.  That history includes the two winningest franchises in pro football history; franchises that have combined for 49 NFL Championships and have 48 Hall of Fame inductees.

The Bears are still alive after they followed a bye week up with a beat down of the Seattle Seahawks.  The Packers will fly south to Chicago after defeating Michael Vick and the Eagles in Philadelphia and embarrassing the Falcons in Atlanta.

The winner of Sunday's game will head to Dallas to compete in Super Bowl XLV against the winner of the AFC Championship, either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New York Jets.

The second-seeded Bears are surprisingly 3.5-point underdogs to the sixth-seeded Packers, despite the game being at Soldier Field.

Las Vegas may be putting their money on the Packers, but here's 10 reasons why the Bears will reach Dallas:

10. Health

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Tight end Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the game on a cart after injuring his knee against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won the game in ov

The Bears have been one of if not the healthiest rosters in the league this entire season.  The Packers on the other hand, have been one of if not the most injury plagued.

In Green Bay, Atari Bigby, Corey Hall, and Frank Zombo haven't played in three weeks and are questionable for Sunday's match-up.  

For Chicago, the only question mark surrounds starting safety Chris Harris who has guaranteed that he will play.

9. Week 17

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball after making a catch against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

In a game meaningless to the Bears, they were able to hold the Packers high-powered offense to just 10 points.  That's the same Packers offense that just put up 48 in Atlanta.

Matt Forte also had great success in the game.  He had only 15 carries, but he rushed for 91 yards for 6.1 yards a pop.  That stat has to be encouraging after he averaged just 2.6 yards a carry in the teams' first meeting.

Week 17's performance shows the Bears can handle the Packers offense.  On top of that, Matt Forte's success could mean more big numbers in the NFC Championship game.  

8. Julius Peppers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears smiles in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Ima

Just looking at statistics, Julius Peppers doesn't look like he's having that great of a year.  Bears fans would be quick to tell you otherwise.

For what Peppers lacks in his sack number, he makes up for in quarterback pressures.  He's been a nightmare for opposing signal callers all year long.

He's been close, very close, but he's never won a Super Bowl.  Expect him to be coming off the edge with an extra bit of vengeance this week as his first ring is within his grasp.

7. Playoff Experience

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Olin Kreutz of the Chicago Bears speaks during Media Day prior to Super Bowl XLI at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Florida on January 30, 2007. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Bears have far more playoff experience than the Packers.  Chicago knows what has to be done to make it to the championship because they did it back in 2006.  Green Bay hasn't been to the Super Bowl since Reggie White was wearing green and yellow.

Chicago's players who have been there before include Brian Urlacher, Olin Kreutz, Julius Peppers with the Panthers, and the list goes on and on.

Maybe most importantly, head coach Lovie Smith has Super Bowl experience while Mike McCarthy has nada.

6. Devin Hester Vs. ?

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown catch against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

"Anytime" is back.

Devin Hester is not only the best return ace in the league, he's the greatest return ace in NFL history. He's going to set the Bears offense up with great field position all game long either with big returns or if the Packers choose to kick away from him.

Who do the Packers have with the same role?  Last week, James Starks returned kickoffs.  He averaged 10 yards a return.

Edge: Hester

5. Confidence

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears uses the goal post as a punching bag during warm-ups before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

Last week, the Bears beat the Seattle Seahawks 35-24.  The scoreboard says they won by 11, but they manhandled the Seahawks for three quarters of football.  They out gained them 437 to 276 in net yardage.

Everything's clicking right now.  The New England Patriots were the only team to beat them in a meaningful game since October, and they were just eliminated from the post-season.

On top of all of that, carrying all that confidence, they have to be feeling disrespected going into Sunday's game as underdogs. 

4. Home Field Advantage

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: A general view of the exterior of Soldier Field before the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Home field advantage is traditionally seen as a three-point advantage.  Three points in a game that's bound to go down to the wire is huge.

Chicago carries more than the average home field advantage though.  The turf at Soldier Field is horrible. Greg Jennings has been quoted saying that it's probably the worst in the league.

The Bears players are used to it by now.  While the Packers are attempting to adjust to the harsh turf, the Bears will be playing like it's any other playing surface.

3. Success Against Clay Matthews

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Matt Forte #22 (R) of the Chicago Bears runs the ball behind the block of center Olin Kreutz #57 (L) against Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 20-

Clay Matthews III has been a pass-rushing fiend all season long.  He recorded 13.5 sacks in 2010 good enough for fourth in the league.

In the Packers' two meetings with the Bears this season, he only had one sack.  If the Bears offensive line can continue to slow down his rush, they'll be well on their way to victory.

Besides Matthews, not one Packers linebacker had more than four sacks the entire regular season.  That backer was Frank Zombo and he's questionable to play on Sunday.

It's simple: shut down Matthews, and you shut down the Packers pass rush.

2. Jay Cutler Composure

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws the ball during pregame before the Bears take on the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Pho

Jay Cutler, Mr. Just-Throw-It, has averaged over an interception a game in his career.

Most expected him to be erratic in his first playoff game ever.  Instead, he put up a total of four touchdowns and recorded a passer rating of 111.3.

The Bears pretty much have no chance if Cutler struggles.  His phenomenal play last week gives Chicago's offense hope that his success will continue, and that success is key for the Bears to be able to move the football down the field effectively.

1. Front Seven

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears calls a defensive play as teammate Lance Briggs #55 moves into position against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated t

Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs: you will fail in attempting to find a better duo of 4-3 linebackers in the entire league.  Throw the already mentioned Julius Peppers into the mix along with a rejuvenated Tommie Harris and you have one beast-like, dare I say bear-like, front seven.  

The Bears boasted the best run defense in the NFC all year.  Last week, their dominance was on display yet again as they held Marshawn Lynch and the hyped Seattle rushing attack to a measly 34 yards.

Lynch was held to two yards on four carries and no Seattle back eclipsed the 10 yard mark.  Golden Tate's 13-yard end around kept the Seahawks from looking even more dominated.

James Starks is hot right now, but he hasn't faced a front seven like the Bears yet in the playoffs.  The Packers offense has struggled this season when they've become one dimensional.  Expect the Bears to shut down Starks early in the contest.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter or at One Yard Short.com.