By Eric Emery
Clearly, many readers have waited for this moment. Watching the Bears advance to the Super Bowl wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying without sending all those “Would you like crow with that?” e-mails. So let me say one thing: I was wrong.
Results don’t lie.
Now, some people might say that the Bears excelled in a weak conference, and in an even weaker division. Still others might point at the Bears’ incredibly weak schedule. Some might even point to the team’s horseshit play in the final four regular season games, and that first playoff squeaker against a mediocre Seahawks squad.
Heck, some might even say that Sunday’s game was more about the Saints’ inability to take care of the ball than the Bears stopping their offense. Though the Saints played up to their ability for roughly seven minutes, the Bears offense or special teams failed to play a complete game. The Bears offense converted early mistakes into field goals instead of touchdowns. Even though these people will say what they want to say, the scoreboard reads 39-14. The Bears travel to Miami.
For the next two weeks, these same people will note Indianapolis’s resurgent defense. They might say things like, “If Brett Favre and Donald Driver can dominate this defense, Manning and Harrison will absolutely crush the Bears.”
Or point out that the Colts beat the Patriots, who beat the Bears.
Of course, I’m not saying all of this. But others might.
I’m eating crow with a side of Heinz ketchup. Other people will continue to hate. Haters will make lists like this one:
The Bears winning the NFC this year is like . . .
A) Winning the National League in 2006 on the way to becoming the Worst World Series Champion Ever.
B) Winning a Democratic presidential primary.
C) Winning the endorsement of the firefighters union.
D) Winning an intramural championship in college.
Let me make this clear. I would never say these things. Other people might whisper, “The Bears are living on borrowed time.” I will not. Others will use gambling analogies like “The Bears are playing with the house’s money.” I will not.
I’m just telling you what some other people might say.
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Sugar in the Super Bowl pitcher: 60%
Recommended sugar in the Super Bowl pitcher: 40%
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For more Emery, see the Kool-Aid archive, and the Over/Under archive. He can be contacted at Eric_Emery12345@yahoo.com.
Posted on January 22, 2007