How much do the Bears’ playoff chances depend on Sunday’s horrific outcome against the Cardinals?
Since 1990, when the NFL expanded the postseason to 12 teams, 67 percent of teams that started 5-3 made the playoffs (70 of 104), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
In contrast, only 36 percent of teams that started 4-4 qualified for the postseason (41 of 114).
Bad flashback
The last time we saw this show, it was playing in Cincinnati. Let’s compare:
At the half: 31-3, Bengals
At the half: 31-7, Cardinals
Bengals’ 1st 4 possessions:
4 TDs
Cardinals’ 1st 4 possessions: 4 TDs
Carson Palmer’s first half:
15-17, 183 yards, 4 TD passes
Kurt Warner’s first half:
17-22, 189 yards, 4 TD passes
Jay Cutler’s first half
vs. Bengals: 13-19, 136, 0 TDs
Cutler’s first half
vs. Cardinals: 13-17, 175, 1 TD
Bengals’ first-half rushing:
21 for 109 yards, 5.2 average
Cardinals’ first-half rushing:
14 for 131 yards, 9.4 average
Bears’ first half rushing
vs. Bengals: 6 for 15 yards,
2.5 average
Bears’ first half rushing
vs. Cardinals: 6 for 26 yards,
4.3 average
