For the Bears to qualify for the Super Bowl for the first time since that shuffling year of 1985, there are a number of obstacles to overcome.
The most likely scenario is that they defeat New Orleans at Soldier Field Sunday, upset the Giants in New York next weekend and then somehow sneak past the two-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in the City by the Bay Jan. 20.
There could be a few adjustments to the above-mentioned game plan. Say the Bears advance to the NFC title game, only to find that either Philadelphia or Washington has upset the 49ers. In that case, the road to Tampa, site of Super Bowl XXV, comes through Chicago, which would host the NFC championship game.
Here is a rundown on all the possible teams the Bears could face in the playoffs and an inside tip on how they can succeed:
Saints
Comment: This is an unpredictable team, although it is a dome team that wouldn`t be accustomed to the wind, wind chill and frigid polar conditions that Chicago has experienced in January. The big question: How will a young quarterback (Steve Walsh) respond to playoff pressure?
How the Bears win: They utilize that five-man defensive front and keep Walsh running for his life all afternoon. It won`t be easy to score-it never is for the Bears-but especially with New Orleans ranked seventh against the run in the league.
Giants
Comment: With starting QB Phil Simms out, this team could be a mirror-image of the Bears. Both are built around aggressive, ballhawking defenses;
the Bears` strength being up front, the Giants in their linebackers. The Giants` defense has been top-rated much of the season.
How the Bears win: Score 17 points. That`ll be the magic number. Without Simms, and with the Bears` defense sky-high, the Giants will be hard-pressed to score more than two touchdowns. The Bears must control kick and punt returner Dave Meggett, who leads the NFC in punt returns and is second in kick returns. The Bears and Giants are 1-2 in turnover ratio. In losing three of four near the end of the season, the Giants revealed some weaknesses.
Eagles
Comment: The Eagles were one of the hottest clubs in the league coming down the stretch. QB Randall Cunningham is dangerous passing and running the football. He is one of the NFC`s most proficient QBs and is among the top seven rushers. Five-time Pro Bowler Reggie White heads a typical Buddy Ryan defense-hit first and ask questions later.
How the Bears win: Keep Cunningham in the pocket and rely on the secondary to outplay the Eagles` receivers. They are a scary opponent for the Bears. Philly`s offense is ranked third and its defense is No. 1 against the run, 26th against the pass. The Bears would have to throw to win, and Mike Tomczak would need to have a Jim McMahon kind of a day.
Redskins
Comment: They shut down the Bears` offense in a 10-9 victory on Dec. 9 while running the ball effectively with Earnest Byner. They also overcame five Mark Rypien interceptions. If Rypien has time to throw, the Bears can start thinking about Platteville, Wis.
How the Bears win: Mix in the five-man defensive front with various blitzes to pressure Rypien. In the Dec. 9 game, the Bears were in his face only seven times. If he throws five more interceptions, the Bears must score two or three touchdowns with a field goal or two.
49ers
Comment: The odds-on favorite to win a third-straight Super Bowl title with all their key players healthy. They have the league`s No. 2-rated offense, No. 4-rated defense and are second against the run. QB Joe Montana is the No. 1 clutch performer in the game and perhaps in all of sports.
How the Bears win: Montana gets injured early in the game and the 49er offense falls out of sync. The Giants showed in their 7-3 loss that Montana & Co. can be contained. The Bears must keep it a low-scoring affair, which means the defense will have to play the game of their lives.
