Chicago Bears Fan’s Bye Week Viewing and Rooting Guide

Oct 13, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders performs during a time out in the game against the Washington Redskins at AT

The Chicago Bears are on their BYE week but NFL action will go on and there are a few games that Bears fans should be watching and have particular rooting interests.

Carolina Panthers (3-3) at Tampa Bay MSRSA (0-6) (Thursday Night)

We already missed this one from Thursday night, but I thought I’d bring it up since the Panthers went above .500 for the first time in 5 years.  At 4-3, they’re direct competition with the Bears for a Wild Card spot.

Dallas Cowboys (4-3) at Detroit Lions (4-3) (12 Noon Sunday)

I didn’t pick this game just so I could use the cheerleaders.  Obviously Bears fans want to be rooting for the Cowboys to beat up the Lions and knock them down another peg from their 4-3 record they share with the Bears.

New York Giants (1-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)  (12 Noon Sunday)

You hate to give a down on their luck 2-time Super Bowl winner any momentum, but the one win Giants which the Bears have already beaten pose less risk to the Bears’ Wild Card chances than the 3-4 Eagles.

Oct 24, 2013; London, United Kingdom; General view of NFL banners on Regent Street at Oxford Circus in advance of the NFL International Series game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers (5-2) at London Jaguars (0-7) (12 Noon Sunday in London)

The NFC West is going to come down to the wire with either the Niners or Seahawks likely to claim one of the Wild Card spots.  Yes, I expect you to root for the winless Jaguars to pull off a huge upset.  I know, I know, fat chance.  The game is in London, so maybe the bigger time change for the Niners somehow throws them off and Jags can pull off a win.

Atlanta Falcons (2-4) at Arizona Cardinals (3-4) (3:25 PM Sunday)

Here’s another game where I hate to give a usually successful team any more momentum.  In this case, I’m suggesting you root for the Arizona Cardinals.  I was tempted to root for the Falcons to pick up their second straight win but looking at their remaining schedule and considering their injury situation, I’ll suggest the Cardinals get to .500.  Don’t worry, they’ve got a brutal schedule of their own so they should fade down the stretch.