NFL Playoff Prediction: Bears Will Make Postseason Despite Jay Cutler's Injury

Under normal circumstances, you wouldn't consider a 7-3 team in danger of missing the playoffs. But the 2011 Chicago Bears aren't exactly a normal circumstance. 

As it stands right now, the NFC Wild Card spots will likely go to the the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Atlanta Falcons. But there's the trick. Only two of teams get to go. 

Despite the fact that their starting quarterback, Jay Cutler, will most if not all of the season, the Bears will grab one of those spots.

The first thing we have to do is to look at the schedule.

Nov. 27	at Oakland
Dec. 4	vs. Kansas City
Dec. 11	at Denver
Dec. 18	vs. Seattle
Dec. 25	at Green Bay
Jan. 1	at Minnesota

I look at that and can't see anything worse than 3-3, which puts them at 10-6. With the exception of the game against Green Bay, all are winnable. Frankly, even Green Bay can be beaten, it just hasn't happened yet this year. 

Remember that the Bears beat the Falcons in the opening week of the season, so they hold the tiebreaker. Plus, Chicago is already a full game ahead of Atlanta.

Atlanta's schedule actually shapes up well, too. They lost to Detroit (who split with the Bears). 

Right now, it's looking like the Lions are actually the odd man out. It seems likely that Ndamukong Suh will be suspended for his actions against the Packers. Granted, USA Today was one of several sources to report that no official action will be taken until next week, so nothing now is more than speculation.

They also have a schedule that includes all of the same opponents as the Bears. Except the Chargers and Saints take the place of the Lions and Broncos. 

Plus, while they split with the Bears and the second tiebreaker is still pending, the Falcons beat the Lions. 

It really doesn't look good. But regardless of who wins out between Detroit and Atlanta, Chicago will be fine. We'll be seeing them in January.