Chicago Bears Wild Card Race: Next 2 Games Are Must-Wins

The Chicago Bears are shaping up to be a 9-7, or dare I say possibly a 10-6, football team.  If they finish 10-6, the Bears would definitely own the final NFC wild card spot and there would be three teams from the NFC North in the playoffs.  I’m betting on a 9-7 season in which these next two games against Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, along with the win over Atlanta, will have enormous tie break potential for that last wild card.  Let’s look at five areas the Bears must dominate to bring the win back from London.

5. Offensive Line

I know, I know.  This can be said for any game, but jeez, this must be the worst offensive line in Bear's history.  With Frank Omiyale on the bench and Martz caving to the fact that he must max protect Cutler, let's hope they build on their most impressive showing of the season last week.

4. Defensive Line

We aren't getting enough pressure on the quarterback.  The cover two defense only works if you get pressure on the quarterback from the front four and your safties don't give up the big play.  Peppers has to show up like he did against the Vikings and Paea must build on an impressive debut.

3. Wide Receivers

In the rare moments that the offensive line gives Jay enough room to breathe, the wide receivers have to be where they’re supposed to be and reel in the ball.

Hester and Williams showed up last week.  Knox and the returning Earl Bennett need to return to last season's form.

We also need to see this group play with a little embarrassment that our running back is again our best receiver.

2. Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler just needs to keep doing what he's doing.  Put Aaron Rodgers or Payton Manning on this team and they wouldn't look like Rodgers or Manning.  What Cutler is doing with no real receivers and a failing offensive line is nothing short of a miracle.  On top of that his decision making has improved greatly from the past two seasons.  Just keep rolling.

1. However or Whoever Is Controlling Mike Martz...Keep Doing It

He's running the ball.  He's max protecting.  I don't know if that's the real Mike Martz up in that booth or an impostor.  Frankly I don't care.  Whoever it is seems to have come to terms with the fact that the Bears do not have enough talent to run the offense that he wants to run.  The Bears can't afford a relapse in this department.  If they can protect Cutler as they did against the Vikings, they can win this game.

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