Chicago Bears Pegged as Part of Super Bowl Dream Matchup

A Chicago Bears Super Bowl run is something fans have dreamed ceaselessly about for 33 years. It's a dream that has only deepened after their tragic defeat in 2006 at the hands of Indianapolis. Now they're trying to dig themselves out of one of the worst holes in franchise history. One that hasn't seen them post a winning record in six years or make the playoffs in eight. So why would anything think this team should be talking about the Super Bowl? Namely, because it's the time of year where optimism reigns. Also because this team looks so improved from where it was this time in 2017. Their roster is deeper, younger, faster and boasting leaders at several positions. Their coaching staff is now stacked with several forward-thinking men on offense. Above all, they have a young quarterback in Mitch Trubisky who looks like the real deal. Not only that but he finally has weapons to actually do something. Why can't they think about the Super Bowl? It's not like teams haven't gotten there after a losing season the year before right? Ask the 2017 Eagles, 2003 Panthers, 2001 Patriots, 1999 Rams, 1988 Bengals, and so on. The point is the NFL is not a league that lives in the past. It seems one person is taking that to heart with the Bears.

Chicago Bears Super Bowl dream matchup involves date with Jacksonville

Adam Rank of NFL.com was asked to be part of a panel that listed their dream Super Bowl matchup for 2018. Most analysts went with several obvious choices like the Packers and Rams. Ranks didn't follow the trend. Instead, he went unconventional with just a sprinkle of personal bias.

"My dream matchup for Super Bowl LIII is your Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Let it be done. I remember how thrilled my dad was when the Bears finally broke through to win Super Bowl XX. I didn't understand it much then, but I get it now. And I would love to see the Bears get there again. Mostly because I feel like a celebration at Grant Park would make the Cubs' World Series celebration look pedestrian, like an '80s glam-metal band headlining a country fair. And I also want to see the Jags get there, for many reasons. First. Myles Jack was not down. Second, the Jaguars fans are the most unnecessarily maligned fan base in sports history, which is troubling because they legit have great fans. So there you have it. Bears vs. Jaguars. Let it be done."

If nothing else, his choice is a fascinating one.

Chicago vs. Jacksonville is hardly what one would call a rivalry. They hardly play each other and don't have much of a history. However, the game would offer a fascinating series of subplots. New Bears receiver Allen Robinson would have a chance to go against the team that cast him aside this offseason. The revenge factor alone would be palpable. Both teams also boast top 10 defenses so it would make for a game where every scoring opportunity would be huge. Then there are the competing philosophies. The ground-and-pound approach of the Jaguars against the spread concepts the Bears are expected to employ. Jordan Howard vs. Leonard Fournette. Mitch Trubisky (#2 pick) against Blake Bortles (#3 pick). It's not a bad idea. It would certainly be different and after years of seeing the Patriots involved, it would be a welcome change with two teams that don't see that stage often.