ESPN Analytics Begrudgingly Say Bears Will Make the Playoffs

Anybody who has followed the Chicago Bears for the past few years has come to learn that ESPN isn't their biggest fan. National reporters and writers from that company haven't had any sort of optimism about the team. This includes limited praise for the work of GM Ryan Pace and a steep downturn in expectations every time they lose starter.

That's why it was hilarious to see the way their team confirmed the likelihood that the Chicago Bears playoff idea for 2019 is likely a reality. The roundabout method of admitting it was utterly priceless. Here's some background. Every year ESPN has an analytics team that puts together what they call the "Football Power Index."

In a nutshell, this is a collection of data that helps construct the predicted offensive, defensive, and special teams efficiency ratings for all 32 teams. Then those are used to predict everything from likely Super Bowl matchups to where teams will likely be drafting next year.

Chicago Bears playoff odds were slipped in via draft projections

For much of the article, the typical spin was in place. The Bears were not included in any of the expected Super Bowl matchups. They were given just a 38% chance to repeat as division champions with a win probably set at 9.1. So good, so lukewarm.

It wasn't until the topic of their 1st round pick they traded to Oakland came up that the team quietly tried to slip in their belief the Bears will indeed be in the postseason.

"The only future first-round pick that has been traded thus far is the Bears', which went to the Oakland Raiders in the Khalil Mack deal. FPI gives that pick a 10 percent chance of being in the top 10, but sees it as more likely to be in the early 20s."

For those who aren't caught up on NFL draft positioning, teams who pick from #21 or on are all playoff teams. Like it or not, this is a clear indication that Chicago will be playing football in January again. If anything, the eye-rolling way ESPN slipped it into their predictions almost makes it that much sweeter.