About seven ESPN experts and five Chicago Sun-Times writers were ready to hand the NFC title to the New Orleans Saints, only to be proven wrong when the Bears rolled over the newly crowned “America’s team”, 39-14. Truth be told, the 2006-07 Chicago Bears can’t win the respect with either the national media or the local press.
Even when the Bears proved the skeptics and fair-weather fans wrong with their decisive win over New Orleans, the “experts” were out there nitpicking every mistake and every big play given up by the defense. Sure, it wasn’t pretty, but football isn’t supposed to be gorgeous. Football is a violent, contact sport played by large gentlemen who either play for a hefty payday or the most coveted prize in all of sports, the Vince Lombardi trophy.
With all the weapons that are featured on the Colts offense and the fact that Indianapolis plays in more competitive conference than the Bears, yes if I were a betting man I would choose the team with the Hall-of-Fame bound quarterback than the team whose quarterback has been nothing more than erratic throughout the season.
But if the Bears want to earn that coveted respect, then they must win the Super Bowl. It’s all about winning. Winning validates your season as a success. If either team loses on Sunday, each member will tell you that their season was disappointment due to the failure of winning the Super Bowl.
I’ve waited 21 years to see this moment again. I was only 5 years old when the ‘85 Bears went through opponents like manhole covers. True, my memories of that special year were vague to say the least. But I have my Super Bowl win. Now, at 26 I want to relive that memory again, this time as an adult. I expect the Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XLI.
Why?
As a Bear fan, you could not ask for a better match-up. Both teams are evenly matched, except for the obvious disparity at the quarterback position. And the Bears, with that chip on their shoulder will come out to not only win the Super Bowl, but to make a blanket statement.
Here are a few keys to consider in this game:
One, the Bears must keep Peyton Manning off the field. By that, they must establish the run with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Two, once the Bears do find the red zone, they must capitalize with a touchdown. Sure, three points might sound great if you’re facing the Baltimore Ravens, but this is the Indianapolis Colts. A high-powered offense that can score points in bunches.
Third, turnovers: The Bears defense must strip the ball and Grossman needs to keep his mistakes to a minimum of zero. And finally, the Bears need to get to Peyton Manning. He is the X-factor in my opinion. The face of the National Football League can turn change the course of a game by a blink of an eye. If the defense gives Manning room, theirs is no question that he’ll have a field day with the depleted secondary of the Bears defense.
The Bears are a better team than the Colts. They play more physical football than Indianapolis and that will ultimately be the deciding factor on Sunday. Yes, the Colts defense has risen to the occasion during the AFC playoffs, but if I had to pick between the two, I would choose the more physical and proven defense than a maligned group that once gave up over 300 yards rushing to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Chicago Bears will win 21-17 and in the process earn the respect that they so highly sought.
