Mike Florio asked the question every Bears fan has been secretly avoiding
This week has been a nice break from the typical reality of the Chicago Bears being a laughing stock or, at the very best, mediocre. The fact is, Chicago is atop the NFC North right now at 7-3. It's a moment this fan base cannot take for granted.
But at the same time, it's a moment every fan is certainly questioning. Is this a fluke? Are they the real deal? When is the ultimate collapse going to set in?
NBC Sports analyst Mike Florio recently asked a question of his own, too. And, as this fan base will tell you, it sums up what we're all feeling at the moment.
"The Bears are becoming appointment viewing. They're fun to watch and I think they'll make the playoffs.
"The question is, do they win the division and is there a way they could pull an inside straight and end up with the number one seed? Which is not out of the question," he ended.
Are the Bears really this good or will Ben Johnson's crew fall back down to earth?
It's a valid question. First and foremost, Florio's initial point is right on. The Bears are becoming a team you consider a must-watch. Five game-winning drives will do that, regardless of what the roster looks like.
Football fans love drama, unless you're a fan of the team they're rooting for. It's true, the Bears are winning. But the way in which they're winning is taking days off every Bears fan's life.
A win is a win, though. But, are the Bears able to win in a similar fashion against the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, or Philadelphia Eagles? Because all four of those teams are left on the schedule, with the Packers coming twice.
The late-season slate will tell whether or not the Bears are truly who they have been to this point. They have won games in dramatic fashion over multiple teams with losing records. Some of these opponents have been blown out by other teams in recent weeks, leaving Bears fans with a wandering mind.
Should the Bears be able to completely take it week by week, attacking each opponent with the one-game mindset, then maybe, just maybe, the Bears can end up with the No. 1 seed.
It would go against all preseason predictions or gut feelings, but that's why we love this game. Every year, we have surprises that no one could have possibly imagined, and this certainly counts.
The no. 1 seed Chicago Bears?
What a world that'd be.
Raiders Get Honest Words on Pete Carroll, Geno Smith’s Future
When the Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll and traded for
Moreover, at times, the Raiders have not looked competitive and look like a team that’s in desperate need of a rebuild. While Carroll and Smith were brought in to bring short-term stability, one sports media host is telling Las Vegas it might be time for a rebuild.
On the November 18 edition of “The Jim Rome Show,” host Jim Rome stated that after a nightmare season under Carroll, it’s time for the Raiders to blow up the project and go in a different direction.
“Once again, Raider Nation, I am sorry to report your entire operation is rotten to the core yet again,” Rome said. “It needs to be blown up yet again. Blow it up. Burn it down. Set the ashes on fire. Start over from scratch again.
“Here’s some free advice, too. My best advice to you next time: Do not turn to a 74-year-old man to change your entire culture and change the entire course of your entire franchise. It’s asking a lot. Yes, I admit it seemed like a pretty good idea at the time. Not so much now.”
Jim Rome Doesn’t Hold Back on Raiders’ Geno Smith
Rome didn’t stop at Carroll in advising the Raiders to pull the plug on this project with the veteran head coach. The sports media host then turned his attention to Smith after another game in which the Raiders quarterback turned the ball over and was ineffective.
“It’s not like the Geno Smith situation hasn’t been a complete disaster or anything,” Rome added. “… Not saying it’s all on him. But Geno, my guy, what happened to you, dude? They wrote you off, and you didn’t write back, remember? Well, now they’re writing you off again. And this time, they’re right
“Granted, I know you’re not getting much help in front of you. You’re not getting much help at all. But you’re not helping yourself either, and you’re not helping
Pete Carroll Sticking With Geno Smith as Raiders QB
Despite Smith’s struggles this season, Carroll continues to back him even as the Raiders’ offense remains a non-threat to opposing defenses. The loss to the
Nonetheless, as he has all season, Carroll is backing Smith.
“I continue to really believe in him,” Carroll said on November 18 (h/t Ryan McFadden of ESPN). “I have no hesitation in telling you that. He’s an incredible player, and he’s busting his tail, and he’s working really hard at it. He has not backed off one step throughout the process. … He’ll come through for us.”
