Regardless of who wins, there isn't a right answer to which philosophy works better. They both work. I think there is a better chance that you build a good football team using the Ted Thompson philosophy, but you can do it via free agency too. It is all about getting good football players, but also not overspending. Some argue the Bears spent too much money. Maybe they did, but lucky or skillful, they are in the NFC Title game just like the Packers.

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I wouldn't call the Bears lucky, I think charmed is a better explanation. We had a much more difficult road getting to this point, and I believe we have a more talented team. However they have a way of playing us to nullify our talent. They are much better at eeking out a victory than we are. The only thing I don't want to see is a referee deciding this game.

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It's up to us to make sure that it's not in the refs hands. Score enough points and hold them to so few that one or two or three bad calls won't make the difference.

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Something that occurred to me while reading this thread: Is it possible that one of the reasons why Ted's bargain-basement players perform so well is not necessarily their their inborn talent but rather the extraordinary motivation they feel from having been given a chance no one else gave them? Ted and Mike have entrusted these players, partly through necessity, partly through choice, with a degree of trust and responsibility that far outweighs their perceived talent. That might spark in them a degree of passion and loyalty that might otherwise be absent in a player made complacent by a mega-bucks contract.

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you know I wish I had a no excuses philosophy for the bears but I dont ... if I think the bears have played just as tough to get where the packers are today I would be fooling myself ...

Who have the bears beat to get where they are today in the recent weeks?
seahawks? ... oh ya they lost to the packers, they beat minn (hmmm?) and beat the jets (nj) and lost to the pats ... ok so did we ya with our back up qb ...
So what have we done recently; giants, bears, philly (at home), atlanta (at home) ...

dont know about you guys but I know the packers deserve to be at this game as far as the bears go; I have a feeling they will get a wake-up call as to whom the better team is.

IMO if the bears had to play philly or atlanta last week we very well might be facing a different team in this weeks game.

I'm sorry Dakota, but you can totally call the Bears lucky, they probably the worst #2 seed in NFL history (based on talent, not record).



and:



Also, it took 18 penalties, a punt return for TD, a blocked FG, AND a 4th quarter fumble for them to beat us by 3 early this year.

And who do they draw to qualify for the NFC Championship game??? The Seahawks, the worst playoff team in NFL history.

And as our good friend Mike Florio has noted they've been incredibly healthy (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/14/bears-enter-division-round-with-no-injuries/).

But none of this matters, on Sunday. Our team has got to be focused if we want to win.