5 Chicago Bears who benefit from the playoffs

These five Chicago Bears are going to benefit from playing in the playoffs

Too many Chicago Bears are disappointed at their team making the playoffs. It is true that you may be better off being bad to get good than be stuck in the middle. Still, missing playoffs by one game do not get you the draft capital you need to rebuild your roster. After going 5-1 their best bet was to make the playoffs.

Beyond that, there is something valuable to the playoff experience. Playoff football is faster, harder, and more physical than any other kind of football. Getting that type of experience is beneficial no matter how likely you are to win a Super Bowl. In fact, the following five players can see a couple of benefits from playing big-time football games.

5. Shuffling offensive line

What sparked the Bears winning three games late in the year was a shuffling in their offensive line. Sam Mustipher has taken big steps at center, Cody Whitehair has excelled at guard, and Alex Bars has done well at right guard. They moved Germain Ifedi from guard to tackle and that was for the better as well.

Still, while you can say the shuffling worked, it also helped that wins came against the Lions, Texans, and Vikings. These are not elite pass rushes.

The Saints are easily the toughest test the line will face since being rejuvenated. David Onyemata, Sheldon Rankins, Malcolm Brown, Shy Tuttle, Marcus Davenport, Cam Jordan, and Trey Hendrickson list off a long name of rotational pass rushers who can make plays.

Mustipher has looked good, but how about on the road in the playoffs with a physical presence across from him? The experience will go a long way, and a strong performance could lock down his starting job next year.