Paul Bixby , Bears Super Fan

So Marcus asks: "So is this a Bears team built for a legitimate playoff run? The defense would certainly suggest so."

I think it's pretty clear thus far that there is a darn good chance the Bears will make the playoffs just by virtue of being the NFC North Champions. In the division (weak as it is), Da Bears D alone is the strongest football team all by itself. As long as Rex can continue to make nice with Moose and put up a real offense (361 yards Offense in one game? And 70% of that in the air?), I don't think there is any question that the Bears are in the playoffs. We might even get the bye on Division Record alone. On the other hand, it is WAY too early in the season to hazard a guess as to how every other playoff team will do.

However, there are some things that need to be considered in this evaluation. I said in my bio that my dad watched Samurai Mike Singletary explode as "mike" Linebacker and I get to watch Brian Urlacher explode in the same position. He watched Sweetness run for more than 1300 yards in a season. I saw Thomas Jones do that same thing (and if they'll keep Benson on the bench where he belongs, he'll do it again this year too). He watched the most dominating defense in football lock opposing teams up, shutting out 4 teams over the course of the regular and post-season. I've now watched this years team shut out EVERY TEAM THEY HAVE FACED THIS SEASON - including the Green Bay Packers, led by He Who Shall Not Be Named!. There's some kind of generational link happening here.

I said in my intro post that I'm not a big numbers/stats guy, but I ran some numbers and here's what I came up with. My dad was born in May of 1957. The Chicago Bears won Superbowl XX on January, 26 1986. That season, the Bears were undefeated (mostly - curse you, Miami!). That means my Dad (Paul R. Bixby, Sr.) was 28 years old when the Bears won the Superbowl. As luck would have it, I have just turned 28 this past August and the Bears have an undefeated record. Coincidence? I Think Not. I'm certain this means the Bears will win Super Bowl 41. The only thing in doubt is what the score will be. ;)

Disregard my previous naysaying Marcus. With these facts in mind, it is obvious the Bears have what it takes for not just a playoff run, but a Superbowl Championship.

As for Detroit, my buddy - true silver and blue Kittens fan - assures me that our guys are going to demolish their team, but he is also certain that they are going to break Rex the WunderKind. I begged him not to, as we only just got him back, but that's the call. I don't believe it for a second. Rex has already had his career's allotment of Season-Ending Injuries. I'm not worried about their defense, there are plenty of ways to skin a kitty.

This week's prediction (cuz I did so well last week): Bears 24, Kittens 6.