Recommended Viewing for Bears Bye Week

The Bears are on a bye on Sunday but while they rest up, there is still plenty of NFL action going on.  Aside from some required extra family time, recovering from that crazy Halloween party or standard fantasy football rooting, there are still plenty of good games to watch.  Here’s my recommended viewing on a Bears bye week:

The Early Games

Minnesota at Carolina – neither of these teams figures into the playoff picture, but it’s always fun to root against the Vikings.

Miami at New York Giants – the G-Men currently sit atop the NFC East, but the Eagles are coming, so the Giants could be a possible Wild Card contender.  It’s unlikely the Dolphins will make a game of this, but we should be rooting for them to knock off the Giants.

New Orleans at St Louis – the Saints are the NFC South leaders and in the event they come into the Wild Card picture, they hold the tiebreaker over the Bears.  Root for the Rams – they need the support. 

The Late Games

Washington at Buffalo – the 3-3 Redskins are a Wild Card competitor.  I doubt when the dust settles that they stay there, but the sooner they’re out of the picture the better.

Detroit at Denver – I can’t believe I’ve got to root for Tim Tebow, but this is the most important game of the day in my book.  The Lions head to a bye after this, then come to Soldier Field.  A loss drops them to 5-3 and back to the rest of the back.  Plus, it shakes their confidence.

Sunday Night Football

Dallas at Philadelphia – a preview of the Bears’ next opponent in prime time, plus two key NFC foes.  It’s very likely that the Bears will be vying with one of these teams for a Wild Card spot.  I’m kind of rooting for the Eagles because they’re only 2-4 and the Bears get to play them for a heads up tie breaker.  If the Cowboys win, they pull to an even record with the Bears.

Monday Night Football

San Diego at Kansas City – why do we want to watch a matchup between two AFC West opponents?  The Bears will be hosting both of these teams in the next several weeks during a string of 4 straight against the AFC West.