TUESDAY TIDBITS: "You Play to Win the Game"

By TJ Troup 

Three regular season games to go, and we have some teams eliminated, and so many playoff scenarios that your mind and mine just might get boggled attempting to figure out which teams earn a postseason berth. There have been so many quotes by coaches that are worth repeating, and one of those for me is Herman Edwards. 

Since statistics can tell the tale (bet you knew that), let us revisit Sunday and the cuddly little bears in Cleveland. 

Edmunds returns an intercepted 45 yards for a touchdown, and that simply means historically that Chicago has an 80% chance of winning. Stevenson plucks a Flacco pass out of the air and dashes 34 yards, which increased the yardage returned on interceptions by the Bears to 106. 

Historically that means the Bears have a 91% chance of winning. Cleveland with a 9% chance of winning wins the game! 

Eberflus is still coaching? 

Alright, all of you out there—if the lowly Cardinals go to Soldier Field and win Sunday does that finally end the debacle for the team that was once "The Monsters of the Midway"? 

Since my statistical world was shaken, needed a team to step up and right my sinking ship; and here comes the Niners...we will take care of Coach TJ, and they did. Ward returns an interception 66 yards for a touchdown, and McCaffrey darts, pounds, bounces and dashes to the tune of 115 yards rushing. 

When a team has a 100-yard rusher, and returns an interception for a touchdown they win 91% of the time. Ready to go down our December 17th historical path?

Here we go; once upon a time the Bears won close games, and in 1933 Chicago defeated NYG 23-21 in a thrill-packed title game—

December 17th, 1944 and the Packers defeated NYG 14-7 for the championship in a game that is significant for the offensive game plan by Green Bay—

No, I did not attend either game but did attend the December 17th, 1989 game between NYJ and the Rams at Angel Stadium. The Rams trail a very powerful 49er team in the standings but sure look like a playoff team, and boy oh boy did they play like it that afternoon. 

The Rams easily defeated the Jets 38-14, but the story of the game is one of those you had to be there to see him do it tales. Brett Farynairz recorded three sacks and two opponent fumble recoveries in the game. 

When Brett looks back on his career he can proudly say he achieved something that many Hall of Fame linebackers, and defensive linemen would like to have on their resume. Watching him that day was pure raw enjoyment, and the fans responded as the game wore on. 

Usually finish my column with enjoy the games, yet want to hear from all of you and tell me what game stands out to you this coming weekend? Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.