Un-Bear-lievable

Atop the NFC...

You'd think I'd learn to just not care at all, eventually. It's the same story, year after year. Da Bears on paper look like nothing special, average at best. Nothing showy, no talking heads addressing them more than 'equal coverage' requires. Sportswriters downplaying all expectations, saying the coaches are on the hot seat, and an expected poor year will finally root them out.


And then the NFL regular season starts, and da Bears start to collect their improbable wins. Victories snatched from the jaws of defeat. Special teams blocking kicks, and returning them to the house. The defense getting that unexpected, last-minute turnover. Coaches and players smiling post-game, saying "I don't want to say I told you so, so Welcome to Miami." Yes, Lovie, that is Chicago Bears football. And here's your contract extension.


Unfortunately, this story ends the same way every year. Luck starts to run out. Just as the pundits begin to hail da Bears as legit, reality comes knocking. While it may not be as much a game of averages as baseball, things do start to even up. In 2006 that didn't happen until after Hester ran the opening kickoff of the Superbowl back for a TD. Last year, da Bears were 3-1 before eventually finishing 7-9. Da Bears turn out to be who we thought they were.


Just once, I'd like to enter a season with confidence as a fan; know what it's like to be an AFC powerhouse team where everyone fears and respects you to a certain degree. Where victories aren't flukes, what-ifs, gifts. Don't get me wrong, da Bears are great entertainment. And I'll tell you they're going to win against whoever is next on the slate. But for now, there's always a part of me just waiting for that oblong ball to bounce the wrong way, like it always eventually does.


C'mon Bears!