Just when you thought the hex was over when they moved on from Aaron Rodgers, Love waited patiently three years behind him and showed tremendous growth as the season progressed after a rough start to the season. After a 2-4 start, the Packers making the playoffs is a direct correlation to Love's improvement in his performance as the season progressed.
Meanwhile, we have made plenty of jokes about Dan Campbell ever since he was hired by the Detroit Lions. Now, the Lions won the NFC North this past season and won a very competitive game against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in a noisy Ford Field. He embraces the city and in return, the team and the fans have done the same. It is very similar to when Mike Ditka became the Bears head coach in 1982 and the franchise took off as his personality and the city meshed very well.
As for the Bears? It is safe to say we are all pissed about Ryan Poles retaining head coach Matt Eberflus this past week, citing continuity and he held the team together despite rough patches of the season and maintain a strong culture. You mean keeping a guy, who hired two coaches who were let go for HR-related issues? A coach who blew three double-digit leads in the fourth quarter and only beat one team with a winning record? A head coach who seems too casual and aloof at times? A man whose explanation during the press conference is a pompous word salad with no substance?
Yeah, let's run it back with Matt Eberflus -- typical Bears decision.
Look, I do not blame any fans, who watched the playoffs this weekend to feel the Bears are significant ways away from reaching the Lions and Packers playoff level. Hell, the Houston Texans, who finished 3-13-1 in 2022 finished 10-7 this season with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback! Meanwhile, the Bears finished 7-10 and are entering the third year of the rebuild under Poles. How can any Bears fans feel confident if the Bears can keep up with both the Packers and the Lions moving forward?