Oh, Thank Heavens for the Ravens!

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I posted the following in the Chicago Bears Google+ community this afternoon:

When both offense and defense are scoring points, it's hard to beat the Bears. So congratulations for a really good win yesterday!

It's still a really tight playoff hunt, but as of right now, as we all know, Bears are in first place in the NFC North: half-game ahead of the Lions.

But they need help to get in the playoffs at season's end. We need the Ravens to play with Super Bowl pride, and beat the Lions tonight. It doesn't matter how they win, they just have to win.

The Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives, too, and as of right now, they're a half game behind the Dolphins for the last playoff spot in the AFC. So they have added motivation to win. They're a very well-coached team, so don't expect a Cowboys-like meltdown tonight.

Then, with a Ravens win, the Bears regain control their destiny. They lost control, after that devastating 2nd loss to the Lions. Beat the Eagles and the Packers, and they're in.

There's talk that Packers may shut Aaron Rodgers down for the season, but that was before their improbable win yesterday. If he's healthy, he'll play.

In the meantime, there's talk that Briggs may be back in the lineup soon. I don't know about Peanut, or even DJ, but we'll get guys back.

Once in the playoffs, anything can happen. It's a brand new season, after the New Year.

So let's go, Ravens! Let's go, Bears!

As it turned out, the Ravens won in awesome, dramatic fashion.  It was a last-minute, 61-yard field goal by Justin Tucker that won it.  18-16, in favor of the team that mattered most to the Bears.

Here, we go.  

Bears have a tough match up with the Eagles, but they have the capability to win.  Jay Cutler had a full game to work out the rust, and will have a full week of practice to prepare.  Lance Briggs may be cleared to play, but we will not know perhaps until this coming Friday.  

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD