Can Bears Overcome the Odds?
Of the 30 teams that have qualified to play in the last 15 Super Bowls, only four have done so by finishing the regular season with a negative sack differential.
For the mathematically challenged currently in attendance, that means just 13.3% of the previous 30 Super Bowl participants have advanced to the NFLs biggest game after surrendering more sacks on offense than they amassed on defense during the regular season.
Bears fans may want to close their eyes for this next section.
Chicago enters this Sundays NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers backed by a defense that surrendered only 17.9 points per game in 2010 (fourth in NFL, second in NFC). But that doesnt mean this Bears team isnt without its flaws.
Lovie Smiths crew finished the regular season ranked dead last in the NFL in both sacks allowed (56) and sack differential (-22). Quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked a total of nine times in two games against the Packers this season (1-1) and was taken down four or more times in seven of 15 regular season games (3-4). As if that wasnt bad enough, Cutler didnt play a single game in 2010 in which he wasnt sacked at least once.
At this point you may be asking yourself, Why is a teams sack differential so important if the Bears made the NFC Championship game ranked last in that category?
Because this team is somewhat of a statistical anomaly.
For starters, check out the chart below that breaks down each NFL team's 2010 sack differential. The 18 teams that finished with a positive sack differential this season went a combined 169-119 (.586) during the regular season, while the 14 teams that posted a negative sack differential went just 87-137 (.388).
2010
In addition, of the 60 teams that have qualified for the playoffs over the last five years, 51 (85%) have entered postseason play with a positive sack differential. However, the nine teams to make the playoffs since 2006 with a negative sack differential are a combined 3-7 in the postseason (.300) and have never made it further than the Divisional Round (with the exception of this years Chicago team). Be sure to also take note that all 12 teams that qualified for postseason play in 2008 boasted a positive regular season sack differential.
This isnt to say the Bears wont go on to win the Super Bowl, but recent history is certainly against them. Only three teams (New England in 2002, Baltimore in 2001 and Green Bay in 1997) have hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy over the past 15 years after wrapping up the regular season with a negative sack differential.
The -8 Baltimore posted in 2001 is currently the worst sack differential for a Super Bowl winner since 1995.
At -22, the Bears certainly have their work cut out for them if they plan on rewriting history.
