Da Bears vs the Evil Packers

After a great weekend of playoff football, the Chicago Bears still remain as one of the final four teams. Who'd a thunk it?

"Not I," said the smilingbrownbear, "Not I."

This has really been a unexpectedly fun season. Based on 2009, the future looked gloomy because many Bears fans were expecting the following:

1) Another crappy coaching job by Lovie Smith and his staff

2) The continued decline of Brian Urlacher

3) Mega interceptions courtesy of Jay Cutler

4) About 1,000 sacks due to a joke of an offensive line

However, Lovie and his crack staff of assistant coaches really came through. There is perhaps great value in hiring a host of former head coaches as your assistants?

Brian Urlacher came back from an injury and seemed to actually be doing it on the field instead of merely running off at the mouth. Franly, I was shocked. I thought he was through.

Jay Cutler, despite clunky mechanics, had a great year. The offense line was absolutely putrid at the beginning of the season. They have been much better the second half of the season.

Next Sunday the Bears host the Green Bay Packers with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl in Dallas. As much as people build up the Bears-Packers rivalry, the truth is that, at least in my lifetime, they have rarely both good in the same season. This year they are.

How rare is this game? In fact, it is the first time that they have faced each other in post season play since a week after Pearl Harbor!

The game has already been described as the "most important Chicago sporting event in history." I am prepared to hear some delicious hype the next few days.

My prediction: Althought I believe the Packers are probably the most talented team remaining, I am picking the Bears to squeak out a one or two point victory. Bear down!