NFL PLAYOFFS: BEARS GOING TO MIAMI

No semi smart-alecky attempts at analysis or "ya, but" nitpicking can take away from the Chicago Bears beating the New Orleans Saints soundly today, 39-14, to advance to the Super Bowl.

Co-blogger Neil Acharya, fellow friend of the blog Jeff Dertinger and all the Chicago fans everywhere who have been waiting for a trip to the big dance since January 1986 are dancing around the room, figuratively and literally, because the day is theirs. The Bears will be a 7-to-10-point underdog against whoever wins the AFC title, either the New England Patriots or Indianapolis Colts, but who cares?

The X factor was probably Chicago's O-line anchored by Olin Kreutz, the perennial Pro Bowl centre. That group cleared the way for Thomas Jones to pile up 123 yards and two TDs. More importantly, it kept Rex Grossman from blowing sky-high and committing the errors Drew Brees and the Saints had that don't show up in the yardage totals. The Saints, who couldn't handle the pressure the Bears defence brought, had a fumble that rolled backwards and added up to 30-some yards in lost field position, two intentional-grounding calls (one in the end zone for a game-turning safety), and four turnovers to Chicago's zero.

Grossman, who only had to show up for one crucial drive, was outpassed more than 2-to-1 by Brees, 354 yards to a buck forty-four, and the Saints had a better yards-per-pass. Eighty percent of the time in the NFL the team with the more efficient passing game wins, but between the offensive line play, New Orleans' inability to run the ball and the turnover margin, the Bears cancelled out all of that, and they're going to the big game.

The No. 1 defence in the NFC beat the No. 1 offence, which actually doesn't happen as often as you might suspect. It's the seventh such matchup in a NFC conference chapionship, and 4 of the previous 6 times, the team with the top-ranked offence won. You could look it up.

(Live blog is here.)

And oh yes, just to fulfill a contractual obligation:

Bear down, Chicago Bears! Make every play clear the way to victory!
Bear down, Chicago Bears! Put up a fight with a might so fearlessly!
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown
You're the pride and joy of Illinois. Chicago Bears, bear down!

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.