Bears a Playoff Possibility (Mathematically)

Monday meanderings: Imagine the Chicago Bears without quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte and with second-stringers replacing them. That’s pretty much the Minnesota Vikings, the team the Bears defeated 21-13 Sunday at Soldier Field. But, hey, it still counts as a full victory — something the Bears had not enjoyed in their first three home games.

Congratulations to the Bears and to January 2010 Playboy Playmate Jaime Edmondson (not necessarily in that order of importance).

* And, yes, with a 4-6 record the Bears are good enough to escape last place in the NFC North. Unless, of course, you care to view the Vikings joining the Bears in the basement. And, yes, it is a long climb to the top of the division where Detroit and Green Bay reside at 7-3. But in mathematical terms, the Bears still have a chance (pay no mind to reality).

* Former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen had five tackles, one of the team’s two sacks and three of the team’s five quarterback hits. The victory gave him a 1-9 record at Soldier Field. Maybe he can figure a way to play the Vikings on a more frequent basis.

* The missing Vikings running back is Adrian Peterson, who is suspended because of a child-abuse case in Texas in which he hit his 4-year-old son with a stick. Peterson said Sunday the NFL is acting unfairly in his case to be reinstated. Something says the general reaction to Peterson’s claim: “So what?” Or: “Who cares?” Then again, this is a person who thinks hitting a child with a switch is fair.

* Meanwhile back at Soldier Field, there were 6,472 no-shows and 55,320 fans in attendance at the game. You can blame it on the weather. Or the Bears’ efforts the two previous games (both blowout losses). Or the coaching staff and/or management. Or anything else. If those no-shows were the result of a boycott, let’s see whether that effort continues for the Bears’ next home Sunday — which happens to be against former Bears coach Lovie Smith and the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

* Speaking of Smith and the Bucs, they won at Washington to improve to 2-8 in the NFC South. Which means they remain in postseason contention (yes, the NFC South is that bad with Atlanta and New Orleans the division co-leaders at 4-6).

* Speaking of the Bucs, quarterback Josh McCown — who last season performed for the Bears — was 15-of-23 for 288 yards in Tampa Bay’s victory. Not exactly Cutleresque numbers, but good enough to win. Mike Evans had 209 receiving yards for the Bucs. Guessing he might merit attention by the Bears secondary.

* Speaking of guessing, something says the Bucs will come after Cutler. Tampa Bay sacked Robert Griffin III six times in its 27-7 triumph.

* Speaking of Tampa Bay, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria and Playboy Playmate Jaime Edmondson welcomed their second child into the world Sunday. That’s a far cry from the days when Jaime graced this space on Sundays with NFL picks and pics. We have included one of her in Bears attire for old time’s sake. Congratulations.

* Comcast SportsNet will televise its November “Bears Classic” on Tuesday at 7 p.m. with “Forever Payton.” The show on Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, produced by Willie Parker and narrated by Bill Kurtis, will include interviews with family members, teammates, media members and more. Payton died in 1999. The program also will air on Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. and Dec. 25 at 4 p.m.

* Speaking of CSN, maybe it can find some company to be the sponsor (and provider) of the official Bears postgame heater for Chris Boden, Jim Miller and Dan Jiggetts. Some of us sitting at home had to put on winter coats to watch their analysis from a concourse set. Brrr.

* Thank you to Bill McCormick (the man behind the jaythejoke.com web site) who has been known to horse around. Which explains why he posted the Horse Burlesque video on Facebook. Which is one way to get the week off to a galloping — OK, possibly trotting — start.

Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the occasionally equine-oriented efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):

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