The Chicago Bears got some much-needed rest after some tough games in recent weeks, spending their bye week healing up and preparing for the final stretch of the season. Five games remain. Three will be at home and four will come in the noon window. It is a relatively simple and predictable schedule with no sharp turns. It could allow a team to find a groove. The challenge is whether they can find it. Cole Kmet has been on nothing but losing teams since he arrived in the NFL three years ago. That doesn't seem to have dampened the tight end's confidence.
He is in the midst of one of his best seasons. From what he's seen on and off the field, the Bears have improved considerably from where they started in September. After an ugly 0-4 start, they've gone 4-4 and probably should've gone 6-2 if not for some painful collapses against Denver and Detroit. Still, the team has shown signs of learning to finish better. It hasn't been pretty, but there's progress. Kmet came right out and said what everybody is too scared to think at his latest presser.
If the Bears play as well as they have at times in recent weeks, they can run the table to reach 9-8 and, yes, sneak into the playoffs.
Cole Kmet knows he has nothing to lose.
He's also not entirely out of his mind. The Bears' upcoming schedule isn't easy, but it isn't daunting. There are various reasons to think they can make a run.
- vs. Detroit - They already should've beaten the Lions if not for that 4th quarter collapse.
- at Cleveland - Browns defense is strong, but their offense is in shambles since Deshaun Watson went down.
- vs. Arizona - The Cardinals are one of the worst teams in the league at 3-9.
- vs. Atlanta - Serious QB issues and will play in cold Soldier Field.
- at Green Bay - This is the toughest one. One of the hottest teams in the NFC.
What Cole Kmet said is possible. Four of those games look winnable if the Bears play like they did against Washington or Detroit. The defense is hitting its stride at a perfect time. If Justin Fields can summon something close to the form he showed against Denver, this team has a chance to shock the NFL world. It would certainly save a lot of jobs if that happened. One can only hope Kmet's words prove prophetic. Fans know better than to get their hopes up these days.
